We have had a dry night here and the ground should be just on the easy side of good for what should be an intriguing day of racing here at HQ. It looks like a very good Cheveley Park despite the absence of Heartache and a very competitive Middle Park.
Yesterday was a very frustrating day. Arnarson was placed once more up at Newcastle and Zamjar had no luck in running in the mile handicap up there. Oud Metha Bridge ran a little better and Sir Gnet needed a stronger gallop to aim at. The two Maidens here ran respectably but Red Verdon was very disappointing and seemed to get tired in the ground. Wealth Tax ran respectably in the Silver Cambridgeshire and made some ground late on from the rear. Mutabaahy disliked the heavy ground at Haydock when fourth in the 6f Maiden.
We have six runners today at four different meetings. Faay and Miss Minding both run in what looks a very strong 6f Maiden here at Newmarket. Both look like they will fare better in Nurseries in the future and are still learning. Amazing Red runs up at Haydock in the 1m6f handicap at 5:00. He has handled soft ground but whether he will handle today’s heavy ground is an unknown. He finished his race off well over 1m4f last time when being beaten by a very promising type and if he handles the ground I hope he can run well.
Michael’s Mount runs in the 1m4f handicap at Ripon. He loves soft ground and will get that there today and we felt it was worth moving him back up to 1m4f. He travels well in his races and I hope he can run another big race. Al Zaman has to back up a very good run last time and is yet to prove himself in ground this soft. Pumblechook has had a very productive season and although he appears to have lost his way you cannot discount him, Indy has won twice this year but is another who has to put a disappointing run behind him. Our gelding holds solid each way claim given the ground is very much in his favour and he has run well on his last three starts.
Colourful Career runs in what looks like a strong 1m Maiden at Chelmsford. He is a nice strong colt but he is returning from a five month absence and I would expect him to improve on this. Hyperloop has been very consistent and has run to a high standard whilst Manaahil ran very well on debut and Ifubelieveindreams ran very well when third at Leicester back in April.
Dark Red is our final runner in the 6:50 at Chelmsford. He has been drawn widest of all in stall eight which is not ideal but he is in better form than the majority of his rivals and I hope he can go close this evening. Ickymasho looks a big danger as she ran well over course and distance recently and she has had a tremendous year. Burcan is returning from a long absence but he is talented whilst Brex Drago could not be discounted if he ran close to the level he displayed out in Dubai over the Winter.
Sparte Quercus runs in a small field contest at Epsom tomorrow. He disappointed on a soft surface at Chester but it looked like he didn't stay that day and we hope he will handle it given he subsequently won well on good to soft ground at Chepstow. Native Prospect has been second on his last three runs but he has been in good heart and will enjoy this ground. Oasis Fantasy has dropped down the weights and could be dangerous but soft ground wouldn't be his favoured surface. Fast Dancer also has form behidn Capton and should handle the surface whilst soft ground is a concern for the admirable Emenem. Kharbetation ran better last time and cannot be completely discounted.