Richard Fahey column on his full Saturday team
Our star columnist reflects on Sands Of Mali's near-miss in the Commonwealth Cup and looks ahead to another bumper Saturday team.
Best Saturday chances
5.25 Ayr
3.50 Redcar
7.15 Haydock
Sands Of Mali ran a tremendous race in the Commonwealth Cup - I was over the moon with him. Paul (Hanagan) just felt the ground was quick enough for him and I'm delighted we were able to get a lead from the American horse. However he felt when he just had to get after him he was feeling the ground a bit.
On the day he's been beaten by a better horse but he's proved he's a Group One horse. He's in the July Cup but my eye would be on the Prix Maurice de Gheest though I need to speak to the owner and see how the horse is.
Looking ahead, Sabre is a horse we like an awful lot. I don’t think we saw the best of him in the National Stakes at Sandown last time for various reasons.
I just hope there isn’t a draw bias in the Windsor Castle on Saturday as we’re out in 27 under the stands’ rail. He works well and he was my main hope for the week down there so I still hope he runs a big race.
It was great to see Brian The Snail win at Doncaster last week. We’ve always thought of a lot of him and he’s one of four runners we have in the Wokingham. He’s drawn 25 – all of mine are 20 or above – and with his ability it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Brian win a race like this. He needs to back up quickly from last week and find a bit more but hopefully he has a confidence back.
George Bowen has run well on his last two starts but needs to step up again. He needs to be a 100 plus horse to win this but could run well. If high is good in terms of the draw he has a small chance.
Growl is in great form and I do think he’s well handicapped. It’s just a question of whether the ground has dried up too much for him. He’s stuck out in stall 31 which isn’t ideal but on homework he’d be the one and Paul Hanagan has picked him. We just need luck.
Mr Lupton is a strange horse who loves these big handicaps. It won’t be easy for him from a mark of 106 following his win at York last time but he’d have an each-way chance if things fall right.
Ramesses’ half-brother Borodin won at Thirsk last week. He makes his debut in the Slaters EBF Novice Stakes at Ayr and is a nice colt by Invincible Spirit. He will win a maiden and let’s hope he runs a big race.
We’ve found the key to Gangland and he has a good draw in the Arnold Clark Handicap. I think seven around there will suit him well and he won despite not handling Beverley last time. Going left-handed at Ayr will help him and I think he has a good chance.
We also run Regulator who I wanted to take to the Britannia but he missed the cut. We had him ready and need to get an outing into him now. My fear is seven furlongs around Ayr might be sharp enough for him but he’s a horse I like.
Third Time Lucky is drawn ten for the Scottish Sun On Sunday Champion Handicap. He’s in great form and I think a mile around Ayr will really suit him. He’s getting down to the sort of mark from which he can do a bit of damage. Hopefully he’ll go well but he’ll need luck from out wide.
Northwest Frontier has won his last two. The Sunsport (For The Winton Cup) Handicap represents a step up in class for him but he goes there in good form, trip, track and going will suit so he has a chance for all a personal best will be needed. He’s been winning low grade races well.
We’ve shoved blinkers on Equitant in the Leith Handicap. We think he’s just dossing a bit and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he won. He faced the blinkers well the other morning and we were very happy with him. He needs to start getting his head in front as he’s very well handicapped.
Absolute Dream is quite a nice horse, very laidback. I think he will win races and the run at Haydock the other day has done him the world of good. He could run a big race in the Best Flat Races Live On Racing UK EBF Novice Stakes at Redcar.
We also run Robeam in there. He’s probably a horse for nurseries later on and was a little disappointing first time but we’ll see what happens here.
Scofflaw came good at Catterick last time. His best form is on slower ground so if any rain is around before the H Jarvis 140th Anniversary Handicap it would help. He’s in top form and it was a good performance last time but he needs to step up again here.
Quayside was gelded last year and it has been the making of him. He won last time at Haydock and while he has Eeh Bah Gum to beat in the Raymond Jarvis Memorial Handicap, he’s progressing along the right lines and it wouldn’t be a shock if he followed up.
Aljady runs in the Racing UK's Biggest Ever Flat Season Novice Median Auction Stakes and is a very nice horse – but he’ll need to be as he’s up against a horse rated 100 in Worship. I’m not sure my fellow can run to that but he’ll run a good race nonetheless and we do like him.
Tommy Shelby runs in the Betfred 'Grand Final October 13th' Handicap at Haydock. He wouldn’t want it too quick but ran respectably there last time and would have a small chance if in the same form again.
Ventura Gold won well at Musselburgh and we’re stepping him up in trip again in the same race. If he stays ten furlongs he’ll be there or thereabouts.
More Than This won well at Ayr and is a big, scopey colt who we like. He’s still a little immature mentally but will run a big race in the Betfred 'Watch Sky Sports In Our Shops' Novice Stakes.
Joe’s Spirit is heading to Bahrain but we want to give him a run before he goes. He’s rated as high as he’d want to be right now but we’ll see what happens in the Betfred 'Hat Trick Heaven' Handicap.
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