Trip To Paris: Gold Cup bound.
Perhaps the warmest day of the year so far.
Firstly, the big news. Following hours of deliberation, the decision has been made to supplement Trip To Paris for the Gold Cup on Thursday. This hasn’t been an easy call, with £35,000 a hefty sum of money, but he’s a young, progressive stayer who enjoys quick ground.
If all of the principals turn up then we have plenty to find, but in all likelihood there will be a few significant defections with the ground good to firm and the forecast dry. His owners are keen to run and it’s impossible to knock such a sporting decision – here’s hoping it proves a fruitful one.
Two lots worked on the Al Bahathri this morning. Paul Hanagan rode Qeyaadah, who did a pleasing final piece before the Coventry on Tuesday. Richard Hills, Angus Gold and Kate Whitehouse came down to watch.
We’re down to one runner this afternoon with Arethusa lining up in the fillies’ handicap at Sandown. She didn’t appear to get home in Height Of Fashion Stakes and Ryan looked after her when the tank emptied. This is a significant drop in class and her mark looks reasonable – stall 10 is not ideal but we can’t do anything about that.
Two declarations for Sunday – Shaarakah, an unraced daughter of Roderic O’Connor, will make her debut in the juvenile maiden at Doncaster while Thanaaya heads to Salisbury for the fillies’ handicap.
Finally, we hosted the annual tour of South Lee School this morning with 20 excited 12-year-olds descending on La Grange for a couple of hours. All of our incumbents have now been thoroughly well patted and one child even asked about running plans for a two-year-old – Chris will have to watch his back!
More tomorrow. Ed.