Richard Fahey column: Weekend runners at York and Newmarket

Saturday

NEWMARKET

1.50 – Mr Colonel

He was beaten at a short price at Ayr the other week but seemed to take a little while to warm to the job and we’ve stuck some cheekpieces on him now. He’s a laidback character and I think the move up to a mile and a quarter will suit him well but he is also stepping up in class at Newmarket. He’ll need some improvement but the trip will help and it’s a case of whether he’s good enough.

4.15 – Supreme Clarets

He hasn’t won a race yet and obviously needs to step up a bit but he does get his head down and have a go so if they go a good gallop that will help. I think he can win a nursery with a bit of luck but he’s bottom weight here and faces some interesting rivals so I’m under no illusion.

YORK

1.30 – Boston Dan

He was extremely disappointing in the Listed race at Ayr. His best run prior to that was at York. On his second here at the Ebor meeting he’d definitely have a chance, maybe getting back on a sound surface will help rediscover that.

2.05 – Have Secret

He was a little bit disappointing at Ayr but he’d had a two-month break after a busy time of things so maybe it was just needed a fraction. He’s back down to a mark of 89 and would have a squeak as he’s fit and very well now.

3.15 – Strike Red

He won this race in 2022 and last year as well. The handicapper was tough enough on him, bumping him up 6lb for last year’s win but he’s back down to 93 which he won this off 12 months ago. He’s getting older but he does like the course and can hopefully run another big race.

3.15 – Uncle Don

I thought he ran well wen fourth at Haydock last time out. Whether he’s good enough to win a handicap like this I don’t know but we’re very happy with him at home, he’s in good order. I hope he’s got a nice race in him.

3.15 – Loom

We’ll see if he runs here or on Friday. I’d probably prefer to run in the Saturday race as six furlongs might but we’ll see how he is.

3.55 – Arabian Desert

I do like this horse but he was extremely green first time out, he ran all over the track. It looks a warm race and he’ll need to have learnt a lot from the debut at Ayr but I do like him a lot. He’s got to step up and hopefully it’s got the greenness out of him.

WOLVERHAMPTON

6.20 – Nala’s Dream

She improved on her first effort when a close third at Chester. She’s probably got the best form of those who have run here but we liked the Sangster horse (Cryingintherain, sold for £150,000) at the breeze-ups so it’ll be interesting to see how ours gets on against her.

More from Sporting Life

• Free bets
• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.