Harry Burns riding Gabrielle
It is still very overcast and cold here and the predicted two day ‘heatwave’ for Sunday and Monday is very welcome indeed, the summer short sleeved shirts we have ordered for everyone might finally be displayed! I worked some horses up the town grass this morning and they all seemed to handle the rain softened ground well.
I am heading to Epsom today as we have four runners there and they would all look to hold a chance. Tibr runs in a very open looking Woodcote where claims can be made for a lot of the field. His Lingfield race is working out well and our son of Distorted Humour showed a very professional attitude when galloping right to the line and shaped as if this extra furlong will suit him. The ground is an unknown and I will walk the course before racing but I am hopeful he will handle it. Dark Red runs in the ten furlong handicap and he would look to hold strong claims on his Chester win, he travelled well there and although he only won by a neck he did it cosily. We know he acts on the track, the trip is perfect, the ground is ideal and Ryan has won on him before, Felix De Vega will also appreciate the ground but we hope Dark Red can improve again and he ticks all the right boxes.
Dutch Uncle drops down to a mile for the first time since he was a two year old and it is something we have been wanting to try for a little while. He showed plenty of pace last time and he handled the rain softened ground at Windsor so I am hoping that won’t inconvenience him. His form is rock solid and we are hoping this new trip could bring about some further improvement, if it does then he would have a good each way chance. Qeyaadah makes his seasonal return in the concluding seven furlong handicap and the ground has come right for him here. He has taken time to come to himself but he seems in good form at home and whilst all of his rivals bar one have race fitness on their side, I hope he will run well fresh, he has some good two year old form in the book.
It is an intriguing Oaks as Minding’s defeat in the Irish Guineas has given all of her rivals hope. Whereas before only her strengths were being examined, everyone is now looking for weaknesses, will she stay, is the race coming too soon, how will the bang to her head affect her? She is clearly the classiest filly in the race and despite being beaten just under two weeks ago, she was ten lengths clear of the third. She was keeping on that day in very soft ground and there is a good chance she will stay. If she does not then Skiffle shaped as though this trip will be ideal last time and whilst some are questioning the form of the Goodwood race, the front two were seven lengths clear of the third and The Black Princess is held in high regard.
Architecture is an unknown as she will handle the ground but her trial was effectively a sprint race that served no purpose in enlightening us to how she will fare today. Somehow beat a horse who has since disappointed and she will need to improve, Turret Rocks has a lot to find with the favourite and will need to improve for the trip. Seventh Heaven won the slowly run Oaks Trial at Lingfield and has small each way claims but Harlequeen could be a big price given she will enjoy the ground and ran okay in arguably the best trial for the Oaks in the Musidora. She was well beaten by So Mi Dar but that form is not bad at all and if she stays I would not be surprised if she places. Diamonds Pour Moi should improve on her Cheshire Oaks third but the ground is an unknown, it would not be a shock if she turned the form around with Somehow today. Australia Queen is well held on Musidora form and has to prove she will stay. I look forward to it and despite returning to the racecourse quickly it will be a surprise if Minding is beaten today.