It is still dry here at HQ but there looks like there could be plenty of rain on the way. If the rain does materialise then the July Meeting could start on good ground or close to it. It should be an exciting three days of racing with The July Cup looking like it could be a race to savour. The Eclipse was thrilling and Ulysses just edged out Barney Roy who lost nothing in defeat. Ulysses had travelled like the winner in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and he is clearly very talented. The front pair pulled a long way clear of the rest of the field and although Cliffs Of Moher suffered a trouble passage during the race, it is hard to argue that the front two weren’t the best two horses in the race.
We tried some new tactics with Zamadance and he settled nicely in the early stages but failed to finish off his race. The Lacemaker disappointed in the 7f 0-75 Maiden and did not run her race.
Amlad is out only runner today in the 9:05 at Windsor. He appears to be on an upward curve and I hope he can run well here. Harebell ran well on Friday and she looks a strong stayer and Wasatch Range sports blinkers for the first time after disappointing last time on soft ground. Knight Destroyer was impressive last time in a lower grade but he has no encountered faster ground yet. Azam and Berengaria need to bounce back to form. Amlad toughed it out well in a Beverley Maiden and then controlled a Newmarket handicap from the front. It is not essential he leads but I hope he can get into a rhythm and step forward again from his last run.