Archimento
It is amazing to think it is the Guineas this weekend given how terribly cold it is here in Newmarket.We worked some horses on the Flat Gallop and the ground was on the slow side given the recent showers and the overnight frost. It is dry here now but there is a very cold wind blowing through the town.
Our flight back from Ireland was delayed yesterday but Mrs D and myself managed to make it home and then dash straight off to Windsor to see our runners there. Warrior Prince ran very well on debut and finished fifth in what looked like a warm maiden. Dutch Uncle ran a solid race in second given that there was no early pace and he was keen, the winner Weetles got first run on him and as frustrating as it is to be placed three times in a row, I could not fault him yesterday evening.
It was brilliant to get a winner at Wolverhampton when Justice First won once more. He travelled very sweetly and was produced at the right time by Martin Harley to win comfortably, it was not a great race but he won well. Michael's Mount then gave us a double on the day when winning the concluding one and a half mile handicap at Windsor. There was a slow early pace but Pat Cosgrave sent him on at the right time and I was very pleased with how he galloped right to the line. I hope he can progress from this and win again for us this year. Blushes was a little disappointing but despite the fast early pace she still found this trip too sharp and we need to step her up in trip in the future.
We have four runners today starting with Toffee Apple at Bath. She showed more when wrong at the weights last time at Brighton and she should have a small chance in an open looking contest. Archimento would have the best chance of ours today in the 2:00 at Nottingham, he ran well at the Craven meeting and has come out of his race well. There is an unraced William Haggas horse in the race and the Karl Burke horse shaped well first time so it is by no means a walkover. Timia drops back in trip to six furlongs in the 4:05 at Brighton, she has not been getting home over a mile and so we hope she can show more back over this shorter trip. Chestnut Storm is our final runner in the 5:05 at Bath, she struggled in maidens but we hope that a step up in trip and moving into handicap company will see her in a better light.