Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops

Jack Hobbs is gearing up for the Coronation Cup at Epsom next Friday and the Dubai Sheema Classic winner looked in rude health on the round gallop on the Newmarket Limekilns this week.

He was joined by John Gosden stable companion Wings Of Desire who hasn’t been seen on the racecourse since a slightly disappointing effort in the Juddmonte International at York in August but holds entries in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot next month, as well as the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in July.

The chestnut son of Pivotal seems on good terms with himself again and looks set to be aimed towards another crack at the King George at Ascot, a race in which he found only Highland Reel too strong as a three-year-old last summer.  

Another eyecatcher on the comeback trail this year is Jeremy Noseda's Abe Lincoln, who is engaged in the Royal Hunt Cup. Connections will be hoping to get an outing into him before Ascot but, having been beaten a short head in last year’s Britannia, there’s every reason to think he could go back there with a big chance regardless of whether there’s time for a prep.

In the more immediate future, it’s a very busy weekend for the in-form William Haggas and hopes are high for plenty of further success.

Mubtasim and Second Thought represent the yard in the Group Two Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, with the former possibly better suited to the demands of this six-furlong heat.

However, they'll have to go some to get close to Harry Angel, who has delighted trainer Clive Cox following his promising second at Ascot.

There are big things expected of the Commonwealth Cup entry this season and this event looks the perfect stepping stone, providing his occasional aversion to the starting stalls can be overcome.

Sportinglife Price Boost: Harry Angel & Washington DC both to win - was 9/1 now 12/1 

Earlier on the card, Cox's Graphite Storm can overcome his high draw and win the Amix Silver Bowl Handicap. He's fancied to make it third time lucky this season after the narrowest of defeats at Ascot. 

Having attracted market support following his promising comeback in a hot handicap at the Newbury April meeting, he had plenty to do two furlongs out on his latest attempt, and used up his smart turn of foot to get back into contention in the closing stages. He was just touch off at the death, but gave the impression that he was a not only a tad unlucky, but was continuing to improve.  

Gravity Flow is a fascinating runner on her seasonal bow in the Listed EBF Stallions Cecil Frail Stakes. She was massively progressive throughout 2016 and the signs at home suggest she could have taken another step forward during the winter months.

The alternative could be Bounce. Henry Candy has had to be very patient with this high-class but fragile filly over the past two years, but her form is of a decent standard and she showed she had not lost her ability after a long long lay-off when a running-on third in a competitive event at Nottingham.

This may be an even stronger heat, but she will come on plenty for the run and should start at a competitive price.

Gosden’s Chessman is a horse we’ve monitored closely for some time now and he’s got to be a warm order in the concluding Armstrong Family Support The ABF Handicap.

He was taken out at York last week due to the heavy rainfall but has his conditions again now and will surely rate a good deal higher than his current mark of 90 in due course.

On the Knavesmire this weekend Haggas could be among the winners again with Dal Harraild a good bet in the feature weddingmates.co.uk Grand Cup Stakes.

He’s come on a bundle since his outing at Newbury last month and could be up to conceding weight all round in this company.

In the Join Club Godolphin Handicap Haggas’ Theydon Grey will be a popular choice after his decent run at the Dante meeting but there’s none less exposed than St Malo and Roger Varian’s runner could be lurking on a dangerous mark.

He missed a good opportunity last week after the heavy rain but looks to have found another decent opportunity. He's improved with each of his three races so far and won with a ton in hand when hacking up at Newcastle on his latest start.

The form has been given a boost by the runner-up Mutadeffeq's subsequent comfortable success at Thirsk, and he looks set to continue his trainer's great run with his three-year-olds.

Charlie Appleby has enjoyed a string of first time juvenile winners and he should go close again with another debutant Zaman in the Yorkshire Regiment Median Auction Maiden Stakes. A son of Dutch Art, he has been moving well in his prep work.

Ebbesbourne has an each-way chance in the Infinity Tyres British EBF Fillies’ Handicap, with Sir Michael Stoute reaching for the first-time hood a pointer worth heeding.

Goodwood’s three-day meeting comes to a close on Saturday with a smart seven-race card and Stoute could kick things off with a winner. Abdon has the talented Mount Logan to beat in the Listed contest over the extended nine furlongs.

His form at the Craven meeting is strong and he’s come forward sufficiently from that first run of the year to think he’ll now be a serious force at this level. 

The Varian-trained Madeline should put her Ascot debut experience to good use in the Basketmakers Company Celebration EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes, while stablemate Barsanti should play a leading role in the Smarter Bets At Matchbook Tapster Stakes.

Up at Chester the expected packed crowds could do worse than stick with a thriving Fastnet Tempest under Franny Norton from stall one in the MBNA Handicap. He’s gone up 10lb for winning the Victoria Cup but could easily be more than a handicapper come the end of the season.

The Royal Ascot Racing Club-owned Headway, another representing Haggas, is thought quite highly of and is going great guns ahead of the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes. There are no prizes for guessing what the main aim is with this Havana Gold colt.

David Simcock is another trainer whose horses are just coming to the boil in time for the Royal meeting and Subjective is the best bet at Salisbury. He was a shade unlucky to finish second on all three starts at two and his juvenile form has worked out quite well.

Gelded over the winter, he looks to have been found a good confidence-boosting opportunity in the Bathwick Tyres Salisbury Maiden Stakes.

Gunmaker is another Salisbury runner worthy of respect as he steps up from seven to 10 furlongs for the first time in the Bathwick Tyres Ferndown Classified Stakes.

He would not be one of the true stars of the team but he has shown promise in his three outings over shorter trips and would have finished closer at Wolverhampton last time with a clear run.

He should prove too good for Richard Hannon's fancied Harry Beau.

One to watch out for early next week is Call Me Grumpy, who is entered in the concluding Sky Bet Handicap at Windsor.

He was a bit weak and backward last season but saw the racetrack three times during October and consequently starts out the new campaign from a workable mark of 69. It’ll be disappointing if he doesn’t cash in moving up in trip this year.