Alternative Fact
After a glorious weekend of weather and racing, it is business as usual at La Grange this morning. Chat around the yard is still of the various performances at HQ on both days and there was plenty of quality on show. Saxon Warrior’s win in the 2000 Guineas was impressive and yet there was enough promise shown by most of the runners to give their connections plenty to look forward to over the summer. While the Ballydoyle trained winner was expected by many, the same could not be said of 1000 Guineas winner, Billesdon Brook. Richard Hannon’s filly may have been a 66/1 shot but this wasn’t evident in the performance as she too was a decisive winner on the day. I extend my congratulations to both sets of connections. I was very pleased with Red Verdon’s performance in the Jockey Club Stakes on Saturday. With the pace being slow, James kicked on inside the 3-furlong pole and momentarily I thought we were going to hold on. Defoe looks a progressive colt and time may show Red Verdon’s second place to be a very good run.
Today I send out a ‘home and away ‘team with Alternative Fact at Chantilly, and Decoration Of War at Windsor. Alternative Fact faces seven rivals in the Prix de Guiche (Group 3) over 9 furlongs. While the step up to Group company asks more of Alternative Fact, he has been pleasing me in his homework and his owners The Alternative Lot are looking forward to seeing their colt step up in class. It looks a tough contest as would be expected, with a field of largely unexposed 3yr olds, but I am hoping for a good showing from Alternative Fact. He is progressing nicely and we should learn plenty today.
At Windsor Decoration Of War runs in the Novice Stakes (Div II) over a mile at 5.30. Again, this is a competitive heat with plenty of unexposed 3yr olds. On his debut at Newmarket in The Wood Ditton, he appeared to be drawn on the wrong side, and tired as he joined the main group. Again, the draw has not been kind with stall 12, but he has progressed well from his debut experience and I am hoping for a much-improved performance today.
All the best
Ed