Martin Dixon gives us the latest on the Horse Watchers runners with three representatives for the owners lined up for the Easter action.
It’s been a great all-weather season for us as we head into Finals day on Good Friday. It’s a shame Chelmsford has been cancelled as we had three runners scheduled to run at their Easter Festival, but we’ve still got a few running at Newcastle and Lingfield while Royal Zabeel is back on the turf at Musselburgh on Saturday.
He was one of the highlights of our all-weather campaign, winning the Listed race at Southwell at the end of November, while the likes of Arklow Lad and Jungle Ruler, who runs at Newcastle on Good Friday, set us off on the right foot by winning on their debuts for us on the all-weather.
Profit Street has been a real success story for the all-weather bonus, he’s going to finish in the top 10 of that and Ribble Vibe winning his two races before we unfortunately lost him was another highlight.
We haven’t run as many horses, but we’ve had 15 winners on the all-weather since October 1 so it’s been a very successful season. Hopefully we can top it off on Good Friday, but they are interesting outsiders rather than strong chances.
Good Friday
JUNGLE RULER – 13.50 Newcastle
We think he wants a longer distance than the six furlongs he runs over in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap. That would be the obvious worry. He won over this trip at Southwell for us back in January, but last time at the same track in a proper handicap he seemed to find things happening too quickly. He’s running because he’s qualified and the prizemoney is obviously very good. We’re just hoping on a straight track with a stiff finish off what looks a strong pace on paper, that he can come home well and get in the money. He’ll be taken out of the heat early on and be ridden to finish off his race well. Hopefully the leaders go too quickly and it all works out. We do see him as a horse that can improve over seven furlongs and a mile, though.
INTERVENTION – 14.40 Lingfield
His last run was a bit disappointing and he goes back to Lingfield for the Midnite All-Weather Vase Sprint Handicap over six furlongs. He’s always run very well at this track, he’s been placed in this race before and we’re taking 7lb off with Conor Whiteley who has created a good impression the last few weeks. He is a horse that has gone well for apprentice jockeys over the years. He’ll be a big price, but if he is on a going day he’s well capable, but he does have to bounce back from his last run. Draw 10 makes things more difficult, but I imagine Conor will try and get him handy and across if he can. It’s not ideal but we’ve not got huge confidence after his last run in any case. His mark and his record at the track are the things that give him a squeak if he bounces back.
Saturday
ROYAL ZABEEL – 13.55 Musselburgh
He’s due to take his chance over seven furlongs in the Livescore Bet Silver Arrow Handicap at Musselburgh on Saturday. We’re a bit worried about the forecast rain on Friday, he wants quick ground on turf. It looks like it will get softer, so conditions might not be ideal but he’s rated 103 and there aren’t too any options for him. He’s ready for a run and there are some nice handicap targets ready for him through the season, races like the Victoria Cup and the Wokingham, there are plenty of options for him over six and seven furlongs. He’s in good form at home, but we are a bit worried about the ground if this rain comes in. With his rating, he’s going to be getting in the good handicaps all season.
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