Solajan
It was fantastic to see a picture of Freddy Tylicki back on a horse, the way he has dealt with his terrible injury has been nothing short of incredible and it was nice to see him presenting the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards on Monday night. Terry Doherty was a much deserved winner of the overall award, I have known him for a long time and he has done an amazing job at Watership Down Stud. I have been lucky enough to train for Lady Lloyd-Webber and the horses that have arrived from Watership Down have always been beautifully produced. Colin Nutter has been a key part of Sir Mark’s team for approaching fifty years and it is amazing that one person can work in one place for so long, it was great to see his dedication and loyalty recognised. All of the category winners and the nominees are a great asset to the racing industry and hopefully the younger people entering our great sport will look up to them and be inspired to put in the dedication that they have put into the sport.
We have two runners today as long as the weather does not cause racing to be abandoned. Zamjar runs at 3:30 in an open looking 6f handicap at Chelmsford. We were delighted with him when he won at Newcastle and gave him a much deserved break after that run. He has been drawn widest of all in stall seven which is not ideal but if he can slot into a good position from there then he has a chance. You could argue a case for nearly all of the seven runners. Alkashaaf has been steadily improving along with Cappananty Con who is moving up in grade and has been finishing his races strongly. Erissimus Maximus is a consistent sort who arguably holds Cappananty Con on a line through Magdalene Fox and he looked to be in need of 6f when last seen. Nautical Haven has been well found and with a promising claimer taking five off if he can return to the form he was in when winning his Maiden, he is a live danger too. Our horse travels well in his races and his form behind Munro on his penultimate start has been franked so I am hopeful but it is a very trappy contest as the betting suggests.
Solajan runs in the 6:25 at Wolverhampton and only three of the field have racecourse experience. The three that have run have shown promise without setting the world on fire and there are some well bred individuals from powerful stables in the contest. Our son of Lope De Vega is a lovely big horse who possesses some ability but he will learn a lot from the experience. Chippenham’s dam got black type and being from the Gosden stable he has to be respected and Magic Pass is out of a Group winning mare who has also produced the useful Sara Lucille. Oxford Don also hails from a powerful stable and I will be delighted if our colt runs with credit in what will be an informative contest for the future.