Our star columnist provides a horse-by-horse guide to his Saturday team around the country with Space Traveller in action at Newmarket.
Saturday team:
13:50 Newbury - Space Traveller
He ran very well to finish second in the Free Handicap at Newmarket on his reappearance and he’s come out of it in great shape. We’re really pleased with him and the drop back to six furlongs here won’t be a bother.
14:10 Thirsk - Jaunty
She makes her debut and is quite nice. She shows natural speed at home and tries which will stand her in good stead going forward. It looks a warm fillies’ maiden for this time of year – on paper at least – but we do like her.
15:00 Newbury - War Tiger
The London Gold Cup is a valuable handicap and it’s lovely to be involved in it. This is a horse we really like. I was pleased with him at Newmarket last time and he’s going to keep progressing through the season. It will take a good one to win this but we’re heading there in great order.
15:20 Thirsk - Dubai Acclaim
He ran little better when fifth at Wetherby last time which offered some encouragement. Trip and track are going to suit here and he will come good at some stage.
15:20 Thirsk - Furzig
He’s coming back after a lay-off and was a bit fresh when returning at Southwell earlier in the month. It’s a bit of a watching brief with him at the moment as I was a little disappointed with him there but he is entitled to come on for it.
15:55 Thirsk - Brian The Snail
He needs to start shaping up and was disappointing at Chester last week. He’s a good workhorse, as we always say, but we need to see more on the track. He drops back to six furlongs.
15:55 Thirsk - Paddy Power
He did well to win over course and distance last time but historically has found it hard to back up one good performance with another. If he is in the same form as the last day he’d go close again.
16:15 Newbury - Toro Strike
This is a nice colt by Toronado who is ready to start out. He’ll definitely be winning races this year but it would be a big shout to say this will be one of them on debut. It looks very warm.
16:30 Thirsk - Gabrial The Devil
He missed the cut at Chester last week which was frustrating. He’s very fit and very well and we’re happy with him at home so it will be interesting to see how he goes.
17:40 Thirsk - Royal Connoisseur
He’s been taking the mickey out of us recently so we’re sticking a visor on here in the hope it will bring him back to his best. If it works the oracle he could run a very big race.
18:00 Doncaster - Mr Gus
He’s quite a laidback character. Some of his work at home would give him a chance of winning this but some wouldn’t. You get that with two-year-olds and it will be interesting to see how he goes.
18:00 Doncaster - The Ginger Bullet
He hasn’t shown a great deal in two starts to date and we probably need to go down the handicap route with him but he has experience and that can count for plenty in these races.
18:10 Thirsk - Orient Express
He’s shown bits and pieces of form in three runs to date but I don’t think he’s thrown in off 63 on his handicap debut here. We’ll see and we’re claming five off him with Sean Davis.
20:35 Doncaster - Gabrial The Wire
I was disappointed with him at Chester last week when he finished eighth. I thought he’d run better than that. We’re going up to seven furlongs which should suit and I’d expect more here.
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