Fran Berry column including Via Serendipity at Sandown

A couple of nice winners to reflect on since the last column, including Mt Augustus for Henry Candy at Newmarket last Friday.

I suggested last week that I feared he might be up against it off his current mark but it was great to get his first win. The way the race panned out for him - they went a really strong gallop - was perfect really and it might just give him the confidence to go on now and win more races over staying trips. He'll get even further in my view.

It was only a four runner race but they were all previous winners and it wasn't a gimme by any means.

Light Of Joy was brilliant at Newcastle last weekend, winning a third straight handicap this season to extend her perfect 2018 record.

She's improved a lot and stepped up again, that was definitely her best performance to date. She travelled well and won it nicely - there's no reason why she can't keep stepping up on the back of that now.

The handicapper gave her another 7lb which will ask more of her but she's thriving as a four-year-old. Talking to David Lanigan after the race, I think she'll be on the upgrade and they are entitled to hope for a bit of black type at some stage. I wouldn't completely rule out going up to a mile and a half with her.

She's a good traveller and quickens. She acts well on fast ground too, as well as Tapeta, so it's a good time of year to try and kick on with her.

It was great to win narrowly on Vibrant Chords in the London Insurance Day Handicap at Sandown on Friday.

He got a away really sharply from his wide draw and although it was a bit odd with what happened at the line - they called the runner-up Rio Ronaldo as the winner - we all make mistakes and it's just one of those unfortunate things.

Vibrant Chords is definitely one to watch out for in big-field handicaps as the year goes on as despite winning I don't think you saw the very best of him. He'll be more effective again with some cover.

The evening shift comes from Chelmsford and looking at the replay of Zmhar's first run he probably ran better than the finishing position suggests at Yarmouth. He's done a bit too much too early but you have to give him the benefit of the doubt and a small-ish field around here should give him every chance in the Bet toteplacepot At totesport.com Novice Stakes.

Muraahin goes on debut for Owen Burrows in div one of the Bet totequadpot At totesport.com 'Confined' Novice Stakes and having ridden for Owen in the past you would have to think that this horse might be one that comes on for a run.

I could see him running a nice race first time out but it's probably a watching brief to see how he shapes up. He's wearing a tongue-tie but I wouldn't let that put anyone off, I just think he could be more a long-term prospect but we'll have to see how he goes.

I rode Guitar Georgia first time out and get back on her for Alan King in the Bet toteswinger At totesport.com British EBF 'Confined' Fillies' Novice Stakes.

I quite like her with the future in mind but this is a warm race with La Figlia an obvious class-dropper on her first run for Peter Chapple-Hyam and I'm realistic going into it - my horse is around 40/1 as I speak which it's hard to argue with.

Onto Saturday and Coral-Eclipse day which is always great to be a part of. The big race looks fascinating and the first thing to say is how interesting it is to see Saxon Warrior return to action so quickly. Not only that but Ryan Moore has elected to go to America with Donnacha O'Brien riding in Sandown. That's a very interesting angle to the race.

I suggested before the Irish Derby I didn't think we'd see him over a mile and a half again and I fully expect him to appreciate the drop back in distance. He's got one or two questions to answer but never write off an Aidan O'Brien Classic winner.

Of the two main players - Masar and Roaring Lion - for my money if a three-year-old is going to win it I do just about prefer Roaring Lion dropping back at this trip. He just looks to be getting better as a three-year-old and they've ironed out his slightly wayward tendencies by the looks of it.

He was going equally as well as Masar two out in the Derby and looks a bit better value at the prices here.

The one thing about Sandown, even in small field as last year's Eclipse showed, there can be trouble in running early on as they all try and get a position. Masar is drawn one on the rail and Saxon Warrior is two but you'd think Cliffs Of Moher could be the pace angle and he's drawn widest out so it's going to be dash for the first furlong and a half. We'll then see where everyone settles down but those early moves could ultimately be the biggest factor in determining the finish of the race.

As for my own rides, I'm on Mirza in the Group Three Coral Charge. Believe it or not I rode him to win a Listed race at Cork back in 2012! He's 11 now and it's great to get back on him, he obviously doesn't owe anyone anything.

He was second last year to Battaash but did had a favourable draw that day. He was a nice race at Naas recently and obviously quite likes Sandown - whatever happens he's been a good servant and it'll be great to get a piece of the prize money.

Via Serendipity is obviously open to that bit more improvement. He produced a big performance to win here last time, just three days after finishing second to Seniority at Chelmsford. He won quite well on the night and a 4lb rise isn't too harsh.

There should be more to come from him, he's a relatively lightly-raced individual has barely put a foot wrong for Stuart Williams so far. The Coral Challenge is an ultra-competitive handicap but I think he's one to keep on the right suit of with Stuart's horses continuing in good form at the moment.

I'm then riding Jack Regan for Ian Williams in the Download The Coral App Handicap and he's another I'm looking forward to.

I think you could maybe put a line through his run at Newmarket last time when I rode the winner and this lad was drawn on the rail and never seemed to get racing at the right time. Prior to that he ran a good race over this course and distance to be beaten just a length and a half behind Corgi.

That form has worked out really well with Corgi running a great race at Royal Ascot and the runner-up Infrastructure winning at Salisbury. So that form is arguably the best in the race and if you ignore that last run he'd have a massive chance.

He's quite a big horse and maybe hasn't fully developed yet, mentally as well - he's still a bit of a baby - but there's plenty of talent and having had a few runs now this season I'd expect him to be improving in that regard. Good ground would be ideal for him but Sandown do a good job watering and the last few furlongs you're climbing which tends to allow horses to let themselves down a bit better than on a relatively flat track when it rides quick.

Related links

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