Sunday 14th May
May 14, 2017
On Wednesday after the withdrawal of CHEVAL BLANCHE it left us with just FABRICATE at Chelmsford. Ryan Moore set a solid pace and when headed he could find no more. It was a tough contest and hopefully we will be able to find a winnable opportunity for him next time. He does appear to like the all-weather surfaces.
On Friday we were delighted with the effort shown by GRACELAND who was given a great ride by Louis Steward. She was returning to the track after having a nice winter break, which appears to have done her the world of good. She certainly looked to be suited by this step up in trip and travelled like a dream into the lead two furlongs from home. She stayed on nicely when coming under pressure and stuck her head out to the line. Both horse and jockey have a great rapport as she can be quite keen in her races and Saeed Ahmed the lad that rides her everyday has done a great job in settling her at home. She looks like heading to York on Thursday. Later in the evening at Nottingham AIR MINISTRY was taking his chance. Settled towards the rear, he looked to be staying on again towards the end of the race. He might be suited by a step up in trip, which hopefully will bring about some improvement.
Yesterday we were delighted with the effort shown by MERLIN at Nottingham, who finally got his head in front after finishing second twice. He made all for most of the race and when asked for his effort he stayed on strongly to score the win. He is a lovely horse, who hopefully will keep being progressive. At Ascot we were delighted with the effort shown by BATTS ROCK who was returning to the track after having a break and being gelded over the winter. He was no match for the classy winner, but it was a promising effort. Hopefully we will get a smooth run with him now as he is still lightly raced. Later on the TAUREAN STAR who had won at Yarmouth at the beginning of the month and was looking to follow that up here. As things turned out, he was drawn on the wrong side and after a tardy start, it left him with even more to do. He is capable of being competitive in these big handicaps, he just needs everything to fall right for him and sadly yesterday was not his day.
Tomorrow we head to Windsor with the three declared runners. We start the evening off with THEGLASGOWWARRIOR. He looks like he is improving with his racing, but still looks very green. Later on the card CHOICE ENCOUNTER is hoping to get his head in front. He went close last time at Yarmouth and looks to have progressed again for that run. Hopefully he should be very competitive. We round the evening off with JE SUIS CHARLIE who did not run as expected at Newmarket on his last start. He appears to have come on from his run and worked nicely under Louis Steward yesterday.
On Tuesday we head to Beverley where we are hoping that THE RAVEN MASTER can be competitive in his race. He ran much better on his last start at Lingfield and hopefully we have found a winnable opportunity for him before the Doncaster Sales.
On Friday the Two-Year-Olds worked on the watered gallop.
Left to right – Choice Encounter, Immortal Romance (Red Hat – Jamie Spencer) and Main Desire
Left to right – Roulette (Orange Jacket), First Drive (Middle) and Rip Van Winkle Ex Tahlia Ree
Yesterday’s work on the Cambridge Road
Left to right – Fire Brigade and Rays the Money (White Face)
Left to right – Quinquereme and Three Duchesses
Big Orange
Left to right – Winston C and Je Suis Charlie (Blue Jacket)
Left to right – Dream Machine and Seaside Dreamer