Nick and the string.
Wet and miserable.
We worked seven on the watered gallop first lot and three on the Al Bahathri second lot. All went smoothly.
Rock Lobster proved an easy winner of the mile and a quarter handicap at Chelmsford yesterday evening. The first-time cheekpieces really seemed to help his concentration, he travelled like a dream and could be called the winner a long way from home. Given the margin of success was six lengths, we might try and find a race for him before he is reassessed. I’m delighted for his excellent bunch of owners.
One runner this afternoon with Clarentine heading to Kempton for the mile and a half fillies’ handicap. She has been neglected by the market but we think her mark is feasible – she bumped into a couple of smart sorts in the spring – and she is entitled to step forward for her comeback at Lingfield, where the race wasn’t run to suit. She ought to get the trip and Jim Crowley will try and make it the second winner in two days for us. The punters want Melodica, but I have plenty of respect for Ttainted Love, too.
No declarations this morning. Three entries for Monday on a low-key afternoon.
We did put one in each leg of the autumn double, mind you, with Prince Gagarin a possibility for the Cambridgeshire and Oasis Fantasy the Cesarewitch.
Five handicap changes to report. Sharaakah got 5lbs for finishing second in the fillies’ nursery on Saturday, while Red Cadeaux has been dropped 2lb to 113, taking him level with stable companion Trip To Paris!
Back tomorrow.
Ed.