Yearly Archives: 2023

Stintino Sunset is consistent but is hard to win with. She seems better on turf with cut in the ground. This is a big competitive field for the grade so we are just hoping for a good run.

It's three years almost to the day since Capricorn Prince last won a race on turf - his only such success and it was over a 1f shorter trip on this course. Since then he has become a Lingfield AW specialist but he does run okay elsewhere and there's no reason why he could not…

Big Bard improved to win a couple of handicaps in the spring. He had a break before attempting the hat-trick in an amateur riders' race around Lingfield and was always positioned wide of the field before staying on to be nearest at the finish in a close 5th. Obvious chance to figure at the business…

Big Jimbo had a win and two 2nd places on AW in a busy spell at the start of the year but has been less convincing in two runs since. Now after a break, he can return fresh to this modest handicap and can make a bold bid for a place at least.

Fierce has been running well in handicaps this year, all three times finishing in the money. The last time he tried maiden company he was a little disappointing but this looks within his reach and he has far more experience than the rest of these.

Forest Demon steps up in trip by a couple of furlongs this evening and gets first-time cheek-pieces. It's never ideal to try both changes simultaneously but he has looked a couple of times as though they would help him as he's pretty laid back. The extra distance should be a positive, too.

Climbing was bred by the late HM The Queen and has been inherited by HM Queen Camilla are we're privileged to be training him. He's a lovely horse who goes well and has a bright future. He was badly in need of the experience on his debut in a bumper, but he seems to be…

Crescent Lake has done us proud, winning three times already this year since joining the stable. He's only up 4lb for his last win at Goodwood, is suited to the trip of 1m6f and we have to be hopeful he can continue to improve.

Croeso Cymraeg has been knocking on the door for a while. He is one that enjoys soft ground and that will not be the case with some of these. Can get a deserved win tonight.

Astro King ran really well on his first start for us at York. He ran really well that day and we've had this race on our mind since. He was a bit disappointing at Ascot but has trained well since and the only concern is that there may be too much rain.

Andaleep was a star for us last season and hasn't done much wrong this year either in competitive races, running consistently. He can win at this level but would need everything to fall right. Hoping that not too much rain arrives before his race.

One Step Beyond won nicely on stable debut in a boys' race over a mile at Kempton but then could not take advantage of his penalty-free opportunity soon after over an extra 2f at Chelmsford. Back to a mile in a better race, he is 6lb higher today which makes this a tough task back…

Ectocross needs to get back on a progressive trail, though he hasn't always had things go his way in recent starts. He might enjoy racing in his back yard and there is more to come from him, so he cannot be ignored, especially now he is better handicapped.

Desfondado is still a maiden, though is one that's sure to find his races as time goes on. He would appreciate any give in the ground but has run well enough under these conditions and the course has been well watered. His rider knows him well and takes a valuable 3lb off. He should go…

We expected a big run on debut for Battleofbaltimore at Brighton but he was too free and didn't quite get home. He will know more about it today and if he runs the way he has been working he will be hard to beat.

 Dirham Emirati ran his best race for ages at Kempton last time, showing up nicely going to the closing stages before fading late on. Continued improvement and the drop back from 2m to 1m5f could put him right in this argument, returning to turf.

Dynakite loves Kempton and Paddy takes a helpful 3lb off. Oisin couldn't stretch his stamina out to 1m4f last time, but back over his favourite mile, he has to hold each-way chances.

Bungle Bay is a course and distance winner. He seems to be going the right way, finishing in the money the last twice and he should be thereabouts this afternoon.

Per Contra is a nice colt by Footstepsinthesand. He's done some decent work but you always have to be prepared for the effect of inexperience first time out. It's a restricted maiden, but there are a couple with respectable form, so he'll need to run well to beat them.

I Still Have Faith is in good form and seems none the worse for his unlucky run at Leicester. There are fewer runners in today's race and hopefully, a clearer passage could bring a straightforward win judged on that last run.