Fran Berry column ahead of Thundering Blue's Stockholm International Cup bid
Find out what Fran Berry is looking forward to most ahead of his rides in Britain, Sweden and Singapore over the next few days.
It's an exciting time as I'm taking to the skies with rides in Sweden and Singapore over the coming week, the headline attraction being Thundering Blue's bid for Group Three glory in the Singapore International Cup.
He's done really well since his third in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York and I'd like to think he's got outstanding claims of winning in Sweden on Sunday.
They've promoted it quite heavily this year and have chartered a plane for runners from the UK and France so it's attracted a few British runners, including Marco Botti's Crowned Eagle who runs in Thundering Blue's race.
You've also got to respect the local runners but this looks a great opportunity for Thundering Blue as he's rated 119 now and looks the class act in the field.
He's stepping back up to a mile and a half and I do think this is going to bring about more improvement if anything so, providing he handles the travel which connection are confident he will, I think he'll cope really well with this test. The turf course is on the outside of the main synthetic track and the big sweeping turns and relatively long home straight will play to his strengths.
It'll be a first for me and another country to tick off, but the new track they've built there looks great and if all goes well here for Thundering Blue then he could be heading for the Canadian International, plus races in Japan and then out in Dubai after Christmas.
From Sweden I'm flying to Finland and then onto Singapore for the Premier Gateway International Jockeys' Challenge on Tuesday.
PJ McDonald was originally down to ride but his injury unfortunately rules him out so I'm delighted to step in to take part.
I'm really looking forward to getting back as I rode out there for six weeks in 2010 and four or five winners so it's always been on the back of mind to return and ride out there if the opportunity arose.
It'll be fantastic to catch up with a few friends and also ride alongside Hayley Turner and Rab Havlin in Team UK.
With all the travel coming up it's nice that I'm riding relatively locally on Friday and Saturday at Newbury and Alfred Boucher could be interesting in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes. He was fourth on debut at Nottingham back in June and the winner runs in the Mill Reef this weekend so the form is good, although I'd imagine after three months off then he might just improve for the run.
Lihou runs in the Dubai Duty Free Nursery Handicap and he's not obviously well treated but might just enjoy having his sights lowered a little bit. He ran well in the Windsor Castle and was out of his depth a bit at Newbury last time so I wouldn't rule out an improved showing as he goes up to seven furlongs.
I ride New Agenda in the T T Tents Handicap and I know him well after two good runs in the summer, when he was third and fourth in competitive handicaps. He might be vulnerable to better-handicapped horses and taking on less exposed three-year-olds won't be easy, but he should be thereabouts.
Sticking at Newbury on Saturday and My Lord And Master looks an interesting runner. I can't claim to know a huge about William Haggas' horse but he has some fantastic form, beating Young Rascal on soft ground last season, and was second to Rostropovich in the Dee Stakes. The trip to France when last seen in May can be excused and he's ready to roll then conditions are likely to suit this weekend.
Ifton is quite a nice colt but is quite green and will improve for the debut run in the Racegoers Club 50th Anniversary EBF Novice Stakes, while Richard Hannon's Casting is a Society Rock colt who could be one to watch on this occasion.
It's great to get back on Take Cover in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes - a race he won last year. He's a real credit to David and Sophie Griffiths and I thought he ran well in the Flying Five at the Curragh at the weekend. If the ground remains on the quick side it'll suit him here.
Nathan was a course and distance winner last year and could spark back a bit returning to turf in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap and The Establishment has been a bit keen at times and the first time hood looks a wise move in the Heatherwold Stud Handicap.
Video courtesy of QIPCO British Champions Series...
QIPCO British Champions Day takes place at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday October 20. For tickets go to britishchampionsday.com
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