Bangor
It was nice to get a four-timer at Bangor on Monday evening for Donald McCain. He was hosting an owner’s day so a few of the owners wanted a runner on the day and it worked out that they all went well. It doesn’t always go that way!
Worcester, Wednesday
I’ve got two at Worcester who have both won at the track before so hopefully, that’s a good sign.
The first is Oscar Montel in the handicap chase (5:32 pm). He ran well the last day and although this is a better race, he hasn’t got a lot of weight to carry and he’s not an overly big horse so that may play to his advantage. Sometimes smaller horses can run better when they’re carrying less weight but in a better race. He’s in good form at home so I’m hopeful.
For the same connections, I ride Present Storm in the handicap hurdle (7:40 pm). She won two starts ago around this course and the horse she beat I’ve actually won two on since in Lake Shore Drive. I didn’t ride her the last day, but she looked a bit in and out. On her day she’s more than capable and does seem to like it around Worcester.
Stratford, Thursday
In the 2m2½f handicap hurdle (1:00 pm) I ride Copper Fox who has been running well and has won this season. It probably wasn’t my finest ride on him the last day, although he wouldn’t have won he probably should have been a second. He’s done nothing wrong and he’s consistent. There shouldn’t be any excuses about the ground, trip, or track.
I’ve not sat on Tardree before who goes in the 2m6f handicap hurdle (2:05 pm). He’s won over hurdles before and then fell in the Summer Plate last time out, but it was too far out to know how he was faring.
Larch Hill goes in the 2m3½f handicap chase (2.40 pm) and has won two rounds here this year over two miles. This is a similar race to the one he won the last day and he likes the track here. He’s off a career-high mark but I’m still hopeful he can run a big race.
In the 2m½f handicap hurdle, I ride Durragh (3:15 pm), who has been a great horse for Donald [McCain]. She’s won three times and been placed on a number of other occasions. She’s a consistent mare and she always runs her race, so hopefully, she’ll go close again.
Flying Verse contests the 3m3½f handicap chase (3:50 pm). He’s stepping up in trip here but you’d have to think if he can reproduce his last run he’d have every chance. He has a lot of weight to carry but he’s won off higher before.
York
Baaeed is the obvious starting point here. When horses are winning people will always try and knock them and doubt them, but he has done nothing wrong his whole career. He’s obviously stepping up in trip, but his father won a Derby and the Arc. He seems a relaxed character and he looks to me that he has similar traits to Sea The Stars where he’ll get to the front, prick his ears, and just do enough. He just does what needs to and I think that’s the sign of a professional horse. There’s no need to exert himself and do any more than what’s required.
It’s a very decent lineup in the Juddmonte, Native Trail, Mishriff, and High Definition, who I know the Ballydoyle team have always thought a lot of, and they will all serve it up to him. But I don’t think it will be enough, Baaeed’s in a different league.
I’ll be heading to York on Friday with my wife. I love watching racing there, and the Nunthorpe will be a highlight for me. My good friend Kevin Ryan has a runner in the race so I’ll certainly be hoping that Emaraaty Ana can go one better than last year when finishing second. I’m looking forward to the day regardless though, as it’s just an opportunity to see some world-class racehorses, and I’m a racing fan first and foremost.
I’m looking forward to seeing Stradivarius in the flesh, he’s an absolute legend. Who knows whether it will be his last racecourse appearance but whatever happens with him, hopefully, we’ll see him have a successful career as a Jumps stallion.
