Top jockey Daryl Jacob looks ahead to his three rides at Newbury on Saturday while reflecting on the Friday action at the Berkshire track.
LE BREUIL kicks off a trio of rides for me at Newbury on Ladbrokes Trophy day and I’m really looking forward to getting back on Ben Pauling’s horse.
He ran a cracker at Cheltenham on his first big test over fences last time, showing a good attitude despite just losing out to Count Meribel by a neck.
It looked a good race beforehand and though it was a dramatic event I think the form will work out well as the season progresses.
I think going back to Newbury will really suit him, as he won a novice hurdle at the track by nine lengths from a really good horse in Benatar and that was on soft ground, too.
Saturday’s race is a good one with Santini among our opponents, but Le Breuil has plenty of talent himself and I’m hoping the step up in trip will suit him as well.
Later on BALLYMOY goes for a five-timer in the Gerry Feilden, now called the Ladbrokes Intermediate Hurdle, after a brilliant year.
He’s unbeaten in 2018 after wins at Uttoxeter, Bangor, Sandown and Chepstow, the latter his reappearance run back in October where he beat I’m A Game Changer.
He’s improving all the time and the novice handicap he won at Sandown in April has worked out well, so he must go to Newbury with a good chance.
We don’t know how good he is yet and though this is a tough race, and I have an awful lot of respect for Global Citizen, I’m on a rapid improver.
My final ride on Saturday is FOREST BIHAN in the Ladbrokes In Memory Of Tara Von Ihering Handicap Chase at 3.35.
I always enjoy riding for Brian Ellison and I do know the horse as I rode him last season at Kempton over Christmas.
He’s a lovely spare to pick up as he’s a good horse and finished third behind our Sceau Royal at Cheltenham last time.
Okay, he was 14 lengths behind, but that’s still good form in the context of handicap company and he should run well as long as the ground doesn’t get too soft.
Friday reflections
It was a tough day on Friday with a couple of disappointments.
Savanna Roar found this company a little bit too hot, he will fare better in handicap company.
Delire D’Estruval found everything happening a bit quick. We’ll take him back home and reassess.
Ballybolley was disappointing and he’s finding life tough at the moment. We need to get his confidence back, so we’ll take him home and have a look at him.
Dragon D’Estruval ran well for a long way but possibly needed the run and will come on for today. I still hold him in high regard and again we’ll take him back home and make a plan.