Richard Fahey's column includes thoughts on Maggies Angel and Growl


Richard Fahey guides us through his typically strong Saturday team and hopes Frankie Dettori will get the best out of in-form sprinter Gin In the Inn.

We've another extremely busy Saturday in store and with the horses in such good form I'm hoping for at least one winner among them all!

Navarone has been quite a frustrating horse but I'm convinced if we can get his head in front in the Michael And Eileen Birthday Median Auction Maiden then he might just kick on to more success.

He shows plenty at home, looks well and I think there's a key to him, it's just a case of finding it.

We've given Areen Faisal a bit of time since his debut at Newmarket at the Craven meeting and we do think he's a nice colt. The Brian Yeardley Continental Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes is quite a big ask but he's done well for that little bit of time off.

It wouldn't be a shock if he went and ran a very big race as he should be okay on the soft ground.

I don't think there'll be a problem with conditions for Maggies Angel either in the Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies' Conditions Stakes. She won so easily first time out that I just don't think she learnt anything.

Her second run should have done and the stiff five furlongs here will suit her well. Mark Johnston's filly is the one in the field that might take a bit of beating.

We've two in the Happy Birthday Graham Hallett Fillies' Handicap. I've always wanted to get Footlight into a better race under a low weight and we've managed that here. She's very honest and won't mind the ground at all. 

We're stepping into the unknown in terms of a new trip with Prying Pandora but if she stays a mile and a quarter she must have a big chance.

Character Onesie needs everything to drop right in the Beryl And Joe Turner Memorial Handicap but if they go a gallop and he gets slotted in nicely then he's handicapped to run a big race. The ground is fine for him too and I hope this might be his day as it's a drop in class.

Champion Harbour runs in the last - the Furniss And Jones Handicap - and he is well handicapped if he can get his confidence together. That win at Newcastle last month should have done him some good and we're very happy with him.

He doesn't have much form on genuinely soft ground but I don't think he'll mind it at all.

Our other filly in the race, Greenview Paradise, ran well at Catterick the other day but realistically she'll do well to beat Champion Harbour.

Over at Catterick we've got two in the totetrifecta Pick The 1,2,3 Handicap and Luis Vaz De Torres has improved for the fitting of a hood. It's helped him settle down at home and it's worked wonders on the track.

I'd be fractionally worried about the ground there as his best form is definitely on quicker but he's in great shape and we'll see what happens.

We also run Gabrial The Tiger in the same race and he's paying the penalty still for having a good season last year. He's becoming quite well handicapped again and seven furlongs around Catterick is ideal for him.

Young John is down in grade for the totepool Like Us On Facebook Handicap and the more rain the better for him.

I thought he ran okay at Newcastle, where he looked like he might just be running back into form, and he's got a good chance.

Pipers Way was very green first time out at Redcar and needs to step up in the Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Median Auction Maiden.

He's a home-bred with a mixture of speed and stamina in the pedigree and I'd imagine he'll be going down the handicap route in time.

As ever we're quite strongly represented, numerically at least, at Chester and for once it looks like we may have done alright with the luck of the draw - which makes a pleasant change!

Quayside is a big gross horse and will take some getting fit but his first run looks to have done him some good.

He's drawn one in the Halewood Wines & Spirits Novice Median Auction Stakes and has done plenty of work since his debut. He takes more work than most.

Bahamian Bird hasn't fared as well in stall eight of eight for the JJ Whitely Fillies' Handicap but it's not a disaster.

She's done well already this season, winning twice, and this course and distance will suit her. She also won't mind the ground if it ends up on the soft side.

We've got Vona and Starlight Romance in the Liverpool Gin Handicap and the latter has only really just come right in her coat now. Having said that, her two runs this year have been very solid and the track should suit her.

She travels well in her races and while you obviously need a bit of luck around here, I think she could run very well.

Vona had a great season last year and she's very fit now. She's still to prove to me that she truly gets seven furlongs but we'll see how she gets on.

Megan Lily goes in the Willow Water Handicap and her form when third here at the big meeting has worked out with the winner coming out and landing a huge handicap at York, beating the older horses.

So that was a good effort and she's since confirmed she's in good heart at York herself. She should go well again and I see no reason why she can't be there or thereabouts.

Gabrial's Star is a bit of a funny horse as last time he went to Chester he just looked like he didn't want to race. And then he came out and won next time at Wolverhampton so it all depends what mood he's in as he carries top weight in the Crabbie's Handicap.

We're also running Monaco Rose and I thought she ran a blinder the other day when a close fourth at Goodwood. She was escaping a penalty there after winning an apprentice race at Doncaster so has another 5lb to contend with here but it's a slight drop back down in class for her.

We've a trio in the Whitley Neill Gin Handicap and Powerallied may not have the draw in his favour (stall 11) but sometimes around there if it's softish they can come down the middle of the track and that can level it up a little.

He does love the track and the other two, Khelman and Ballesteros, have also won around Chester.

Khelman won three weeks ago and has a chance again but Ballesteros has a few questions to answer now. He's been out of form and I wish the handicapper would give him a bit more of a chance as his turf mark is still high.

Energia Fox goes for back-to-back Chester wins in the Tommy & Sheila Clisham Anniversary Handicap and she definitely got herself well handicapped with some below-par efforts.

She's found her form again now though and I hope she can go in again here.

Society Red is a horse we like, he just didn't travel at all at Haydock the other day when the ground was very fast.

He's back up to a mile and a quarter in the Betway Middle Distance Handicap at the same course and with a bit of juice in the ground I hope he'll show up better.

Growl didn't really run up to form last time either but the Duke Of York was his first run of the season and he just ran a little bit fresh. Stepping up to seven furlongs on slower ground in the Betway John Of Gaunt Stakes could see him run okay.

He's officially the highest rated horse in the race and he's in good form, anyway.

We've got Lady In Question and Sir Reginald Brown in the Betway Handicap and they're at the bottom of the weights.

Sir Reginald Brown ran well to a point at York in the decent handicap won by Battered, he just didn't get home on the ground and I'd have to be a little bit worried about conditions for him again.

I was pleased enough with Lady In Question's first run back, she's come on for that and has been working extremely well so it'd be nice to see her run a big race.

Gabrial's Kaka is a better horse on slower ground and the going will be grand for him. He's finally slipping in the weights again and can pop up soon. Hopefully it's in the Betway Mile Handicap this weekend.

The ground might be a bit better down at Newmarket and we've got Six Strings on his seasonal reappearance in the Animal Health Trust Celebrating 75 Years Handicap.

We really like him, he's a nice horse, and although a little bit inexperienced he was quite progressive last season and I'd love to see him run a big one on his comeback.

Gin In The Inn is out again in the six-furlong sprint - the Porsche Centre Cambridge Handicap - and he's already had a good start to the season.

The handicapper's had his say and he went up 11lb for winning which I thought was a bit harsh but he ran really well again at Chester last time.

We've Frankie on board and I think he'll suit the horse perfectly.

Angel Gabrial has come down the ratings and he's joined by Gabrial's King in the John Sunley Memorial Handicap.

I'm hoping the the former can win again and all being well he'll be thereabouts, while I'm afraid Gabrial's King can run well or run terrible.

We're happy with him at home but it's the way he is I'm afraid.


Fancy Richard Fahey to send out more than three winners on Saturday June 10? Sky Bet offer 5/4 he can bag four or more and you can check out the all the online firm's special markets right here.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo