Smallbrook Lane is our first runner in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing E.B.F. Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Thirsk. She's very fit and very well. I wouldn't say she's top of the pecking order at home but she knows her job and won't come on for her first run as much as others might. I hope she runs well for her owners.
The coralchampionsclub.co.uk Sprint Trophy at Newmarket is a very open race. Kimbali ran well at Chester and while he looked like maybe he wants to go seven furlongs, Marwan (Koukash) wanted to come here and we'll have a punt.
All season I've been preaching that Alejandro is badly handicapped and I think that's still the case but we'll see what happens.
Marine Commando goes to Thirsk for the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap. He's not badly drawn but needs to jump out the stalls. He's got into the bad habit of missing the kick and not getting into the race. We're happy with him though and we're going to put a rug on him for loading here and hopefully that will help him. He needs to jump on terms, if he doesn't he can't win anything.
Arctic Feeling ran a good race at Chester and returns to action in the Yorkshire Outdoors Adventure Experiences Handicap also at Thirsk. He was badly drawn the last day and was stuck on the outside and he has a chance here.
What About You also runs but is just about the most disappointing horse we've had. He works real well, works with all the top sprinters and goes nicely with them too. He's been freshened up, given plenty of time to get over any issues he has so I hope to see more. I wouldn't like to split my pair.
Over at Doncaster Monkey Bar Flies makes his debut in the Welcome Home Barney Maiden Auction Stakes. He goes well and I like him a lot but he's a very timid and nervous horse and I hope the occasion doesn't get to him. He could just run very green for one of ours on debut but if the penny drops he'd run a decent race.
Pontoon is a long-term project and has had issues on and off. He runs in the Kat Communications Knowledge About Telecoms Median Auction Maiden Stakes. He wouldn't win a maiden but needs another run to get a handicap mark and we'll go from there.
I like Ladys First a lot and she reappears in the Frenchgate First For Fashion Handicap. I hope she runs a big race because she's the sort of filly we'd like to run in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot. She needs to go up in the handicap to get in that, she's rated 89 and that's a 96-110. She's fit and very well and I'm hoping she runs a very big race for the owner. I'll make her my latest charity bet - courtesy of Sky Bet - £25 each-way.
Finally Mr Optimistic is drawn 14 for the robinsonsofbawtry.com Handicap. He's slowly coming down the handicap having paid the penalty for winning four last year. It's a typical sprint and you'll need a lot of luck but he is getting back down towards a rating from which he can be competitive. I'd be a little surprised if was able to win today but we'll see.
