Ascot team performing with credit
We haven't enjoyed a lot of luck down at Royal Ascot so far. Lady's First ran well to finish third in the Sandringham but had she been drawn on the stands' side and been able to follow the front two into the race I think she'd have gone very close to winning. She's earned Black Type which is grand and is a filly for the future.
Barefoot Lady ran a cracker in the Windsor Forest and I'd love her to go on a round track and get something to go flat-out in front. She had to make the running and battled on well to finish fourth.
If they ever go a decent gallop she might just win one of these one day. There's a Listed race coming up at Pontefract and we might take her there to try and get her head in front and give her a bit of confidence. She gives herself a hard time by putting so much into her races.
The St James's Palace Stakes was a messy race and Jamie Spencer was thrilled with Gabrial. He felt had things had panned out a little differently he might have finished closer than fifth but he's run well.
Saturday team:
We've two runners in the Wokingham. Sir Reginald went to Dubai and it didn't happen for him over there, he didn't settle at all. The whole regime didn't suit him and his work since has been on ok but he hasn't done anything sparkling. He's rated 100 and there aren't many races for him so barring the ground going heavy he'll run.
Alben Star is in tip-top shape. I had to give him a lot of races over the winter as he was getting so fat on us and this was his first major target. We're hopeful he'll run a very big race but I don't just know if he wants it too soft. I'll be watching the weather for both of mine.
Sioux Rising is in foal and hasn't got many more runs left. We're trying to get some Black Type for her in the Scottish Sun/E.B.F. Land O'Burns Fillies' Stakes at Ayr. It would need to be soft ground for her to run well though, five furlongs is sharp enough and if she could nick a place that would be brilliant.
Baccarat was my nap of the meeting for Royal Ascot but got balloted out of the Britannia. Instead he goes up to Ayr for the Scottish Sun On Sunday Handicap. He could go there and get beat but I'd be surprised if he did. I think he's a very good horse and we're very hopeful he'll win on Saturday and progress from there.
Irish Heartbeat is a very hard horse to win with. He has plenty of ability but runs well one day and badly the next for no apparent reason. He runs in the Ladies' And Gents Evening - 25th August Claiming Stakes at Redcar and back in claiming company I'd like to think he'll very nearly win but he isn't one I'd be putting my house on.
Dutch Heritage runs in the Weatherseal Handicap at Ayr. We do feel he's very well handicapped and expect him to run well in a competitive race. To try and raise a few quid I'll put him up each-way as my Sky Bet charity bet. I'd expect him to be in the three with eight runners, if not better than that.
We run two in the Christie Bucket Collectors Army Maiden Stakes at Haydock. Bispham Green has been disappointing as we liked him at home. He had an issue with a soft palate and needs to grow out of it but Tony Hamilton felt dropping back to five furlongs would suit. Charlie Em was very green at Musselburgh and was outpaced on debut and from what we see at home Bispham Green would be the pick of my pair.
Bountiful Girl won for David Barker last season but we don't really know where we are with her this year, we're a little bit lost. She was a bit keen last time she ran and needs to settle and run her race properly in the Christie Charitable Fund Handicap, a race in which we're double handed.
The blinkers did the trick for Lady Loch the last day and she'd still be well handicapped. I'd like to think she'll run a very big race here.
Mountain Summit makes her debut in the Abacus Securities 10th Year Anniversary Maiden Stakes. It's been a bit frustrating as I really wanted a ten furlong or even mile-and-a-half maiden for her but I'm trying to get a run into her. I took her out because of very testing ground the other day but we need to get her going. It's a watching brief but I'd be surprised if she won first-time-out.
Chiswick Bey has started coming down the handicap and ran a bit better the last day. If he came back to his very best he'd have a chance in the Christie Charity Raceday Handicap. We feel he's coming back but is not quite there yet. This is the lowest he's been rated for a year-and-a-half though and if he runs well that would be great.
