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Thursday 18th October

Thu 18 October 2018

Creek Harbour

Good morning from a misty Newmarket, although we are forecast to brighten up significantly as the day progresses! Although it is late in the season, we are still prone to the odd very busy day of racing, and today is very much one of those.

We get started with Agar’s Plough in the 3.35 at Brighton, a 0-75 handicap over a mile. They are holding on to good ground which should be ideal, and we have long felt that Agar’s is capable of getting his head in front at this sort of level. Actually getting the job done has proven difficult however, and after going very close at Chelmsford in August, his most recent run at Lingfield was a slight backward step. I also have concerns as to whether or not Brighton is going to be his track, but we are getting to the point in the year when opportunities are running short. The Warrior, who beat us last time, is in opposition once again, and the race as a whole looks very competitive with nothing discounted. It will be good to get Agar’s back on turf for the first time since June, and Charlie Bishop got a good tune out of him previously. Fingers crossed that they can go one better than they did the last time they were partnered – hopefully we have a little each way shout.

We then skip straight on to the evening action, and the well-bred Oasis Dream two-year-old colt Valence gets his second taste of racecourse action in the novice over an extended mile at Wolverhampton at 7.30. Repaupo of John Gosden’s is an extremely short priced favourite – around 1/5 the last time I checked – and our prospects of challenging him are probably remote. However, as a son of my former Sun Chariot winner Independence, who has already produce the Eclipse winner Mount Nelson and St Leger third Monitor Closely, I remain hopeful that Valence has a future. He showed signs of inexperience at Newmarket on his recent debut, and ultimately finished well held. However, I think he will have learned a good deal from that effort, and hope to see a step forward. We are big outsiders, but it would be nice to see him outrun his huge odds somewhat. Martin Harley rides.

We then march on to Chelmsford, with Navajo Squaw returning to the track in the 0-60 two mile handicap at 7.45 under Jim Crowley. I am one of the part owners of this filly, and she has required patience! However, a step up to two miles at this course last week saw her finish an excellent third. This race attracted few entries, so we hoped it might cut up a bit, but unfortunately almost everything declared! Alexis Carrington and The Fiddler might have a bit more improvement in them, whilst there are several other capable sorts at the level in attendance. That said, Navajo is herself still unexposed at the trip, and a reproduction of last week’s run should see her running a good solid race. She has place claims at least.

Our final runner is Creek Harbour in the three-year-old novice at Chelmsford at 8.15. The William Haggas-trained Muneyra sets a strong standard, having won last time out, and the Owen Burrows-trained Thaayer will surely improve from her promising debut. However, our own horse showed encouragement at this track a few weeks ago on debut, finishing just two and three-quarter lengths behind the now 100-rated Auxerre. He was then bitterly disappointing at Pontefract, though I would be inclined to put a line through that as a mile on softish ground was too taxing. A step back to seven-furlongs and a return to the all-weather should enable a much better performance. Hopefully he has a little each way chance under Fran Berry. 


All the best,
Ed.



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