Growl is reported in top form for the Sky Bet Dash on Saturday and Richard Fahey is hopeful of a big run if there's rain around - check out his guide to the weekend team.
Big chances:
2.00 Chester
2.40 York
3.50 York
We’ve got a bumper team in action on Saturday but at the moment we don’t know what ground they’ll be racing on.
Thunderstorms are forecast and it’s case of where they land. I’ve got so many horses waiting for the better ground that I need to get racing – but we’ve had to sit and wait. It’s nearly August now.
The racecourses have been doing a great job recently but we just want some decent ground. They’re not able to water to produce good ground, for example. If they did trainers would be scrambling to run.
We are just dealing with the same going descriptions day in, day out now but it can mean such different things.
At the last Pontefract meeting they produced beautiful ground – the time before it was very fast. On both days it was officially good to firm.
It has been so frustrating but as I say the tracks have done a great job over the last three or four weeks – but we need rain soon for so many horses or some genuine good ground to run on.
Anyway, onto our runners and Amber Spark is first up in the Collingwood Insurance Company EBF Novice Auction Stakes at Newcastle. She probably wants decent ground which is why we’re heading down the all-weather route with her.
She’s run a couple of times on fast ground and not liked it. She may need to go down the nursery route but we like her and it will be interesting to see how she goes.
Spray The Sea won well at Hamilton the other day, we were very pleased with him. The Collingwood Young Driver Insurance Silk Series Lady Riders' Handicap is a completely different kettle of fish but there’s no reason why he won’t handle the all-weather and we’re happy to give it a go.
We also run Cadeau Magnifique. He’s been very disappointing and never raised a gallop last time. He’s capable on his day but has two ways of running and needs it very much to be a going day.
Maybride has had a few hormonal issues but we hope they’re sorted out now. She’s a very nice filly and we’re happy with her at home going into the Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance 'Beeswing' Handicap. We’re keeping her off the fast ground so this was a good option.
Lucky Lucky Man has been running extremely well, especially as I think he’s badly handicapped. You can’t knock him and his chance is there for all to see in the Collingwood Fleet Insurance Handicap.
Billy Bond won’t mind the surface of the track in the division two of the Collingwood Over 50's Insurance Handicap. Ignore his last run at Redcar as that was a very messy race but he does need to show more.
We’re very happy with Nicki’s Angel going into the Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes at Ascot. We’ve always liked her and while she definitely needs to step up on what she’s shown so far I think she’s capable of better than we've seen from her.
She just came up a bit light after her last run at York and I backed off her a bit but she’s back firing on all cylinders again now.
We run six in the Gigaset International Handicap. Zap beat Gallipolli at Newmarket last time and they renew rivalry. The former does his own thing but is in great form right now and track and ground should suit here.
I’ve stuck blinkers on Gallipoli as he threw it away the last day. It was nobody’s fault but he went walkabouts in the closing stages and hopefully the headgear will help. If it does he’ll run well.
Brian The Snail is in great form. He’s working well but always does at home – he’s never let us down at Musley Bank. William Buick felt seven furlongs would suit after his run in the Wokingham and it will be interesting to see how he goes.
Right Action is probably best on slower ground but the owners are keen to have a go. Any rain would clearly be in his favour.
Clubbable is a wonderful mare. She shaped as if she’d get a mile but didn’t seem to stay it at Newmarket last time and the drop back to seven on this track will really suit her.
Starlight Romance likes York. She returns there for the Sky Bet Britain's Most Popular Online Bookmaker Handicap. She is a bit in and out but on a good day she’d have a chance were.
We’re double-handed in the Sky Bet Dash.
I’ve been a fraction disappointed with Eastern Impact of late and I’m just a bit worried he isn’t enjoying the really fast ground. If it was on the good side of good to firm on Saturday that would suit and he’s getting himself well handicapped.
Growl is right on his a game at home. I just hope they get some rain a York. The horse is handicapped to do some real damage right now and is working very well.
Forest Ranger wasn’t good enough in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last time but still ran a fraction below par. He has a penalty to carry in the Sky Bet York Stakes which doesn’t make things easy and needs to bounce back to his best but would have a chance if he did.
Baronial Pride is a nice horse. I was a little surprised to see him beaten at Ayr last time – the winner there Celebrity Dancer must be okay – and I do like my fellow. He’ll improve again in the Sky Bet Racing Cash Out Novice Median Auction Stakes.
I’d love some rain for Suegioo ahead of the Sky Bet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap. It was great to see him win at Pontefract two starts ago and small fields suit him so he could run a big race if things come right here.
Exhort was disappointing at Haydock last time. She’s a filly we’ve always liked and the Sky Bet Supporting New Beginnings British EBF Fillies' Handicap is a big day for her as she needs to bounce back and get back on track.
Paddy Mathers felt Society Queen never got the chance to run in the Weatherbys Super Sprint last week. It was a funny race and she never had the room to get going. That’s why we’re turning her out quickly for the Sporting Life Fast Results Nursery and she can go well.
Gabrial The Wire is progressing nicely. He’s improved with every run and I think he’s gone forward again. I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win the Stella Artois Novice Median Auction Stakes at Chester.
Powerallied has a great draw for the Stella Artois Chalice Handicap. He’s been running well and I’d love to see him get his head in front. We’ll have no excuses here.
Gabrial The Devil won well at the track last time over six furlongs but seems quite versatile in terms of trip and does stay seven. If the ground was quick he’d be our main hope in the Sebastian Artois Apprentice Handicap.
We’re definitely hoping for rain for Showmethedough. He’s been waiting and waiting for some decent ground and is in great form if he gets it.
Amazing Michele won an uncompetitive race here two starts ago but course winners are always a big thing at Chester and she has her chance in the Stella Artois 4% Handicap.
Finally we run two in the Stella Artois Cidre Handicap. Gabrial’s King just won’t win for me. I don’t know why but he ran respectably at Beverley last time.
Monaco Rose has been disappointing. I don’t think she stayed two miles the other day and has run well at Chester before though so I’d give her a small chance back in trip.
