Monthly Archives: May 2024

Bonne Vitesse has a lot going for her tonight. Her run at Catterick (1m4f) was over shorter than ideal yet she wasn't disgraced. Now on a stiff 2m1f in soft ground, her attributes can come through. Big chance and value each-way.

I think Blenheim Star has a good chance up there today. We rode her wrong last time but she has a nice draw and it isn't the greatest race. Each-way prospects.

I thought before the rain that Mandega had a decent chance. If it had stayed how it was for Monday's meeting - nice good to soft jumping going - he would have been fine. He ran well on the flat at Doncaster last time and takes his chance here. Each-way hopes.

Until last night, I thought Contre Ordre would be our best chance of the four but that has been diminished by the rain. Dropped back to 2m, we'll be making plenty of use of him and after some disappointing runs, his mark has slipped 4lb below that of his last win in November.

As ever, it's a situation brought on by the fact that opportunities are limited, not just for 4yo fillies like Azahara Palace. The RCA is calling the shots and the BHA seems powerless to prevent an increasingly unbalanced programme. We had to come here and face colts and geldings, but the alternative was giving lots…

Ikigai Star has raced up with the pace in both his starts for us since joining from the Joseph O'Brien yard. We'll ride him with a little more restrain today in the hope that he will get home better this time.

Stowaway Jess probably needed the run when 4th after a ten-month absence at Southwell last month. Fern takes off a value 7lb and they could be right in the picture at the business end.

All of Your Darling's wins have come after a longish break so six weeks might be stretching (or un-stretching) it, if you know what I mean, following his disappointing run at Aintree. He's off a career-high mark in a good race, so he needs to do something he hasn't previously. Chances if he's fresh enough.

Village Master is three for three over fences, winning more easily each time. The four-timer looks on the cards even with the 13lb hike for the latest victory at Stratford.

Shantwopointfive ran a promising first race over hurdles when 2nd at Fontwell last week. We think she will improve for the longer trip. Each-way hopes.

Dual Identity will have benefited from the return run at Eopsom last month. He runs Sandown particularly well, impressing here last August and we're expecting a big run tonight.

El Hibri was similarly busy to Beauzon early in the year, managing one win. Now, after a two-month break, he showed signs when 3rd over CD three weeks ago that another success might be imminent. Hopeful.

Premiere Ligne has not been easy to win with. He did run well first time back from a break when 3rd in a big field at Windsor, though, and is fit and well.

Atlantic Gamble has started slowly giving himself no chance in both his races this year. Kempton should suit him better and if Marco can get him away alertly from his nice draw in 4, he could have a small each-way shout.

Caprelo did well to win on season/handicap debut at Kempton. I'm not sure why, I'm not as bullish as I might have been, but he's only a few pounds higher and ought to have improved.

Railway Bell was caught on the line in her latest of two Irish point-to-points last November. She shapes nicely at home and we're hopeful she can go close today.