I preview my rides at York on Friday and my chances at Newbury on Lockinge Day, and I’ve picked out the horses I’m most excited about across both cards.
Niewiadoma looks ready to step up in class
Niewiadoma has been one of Archie Watson’s better juveniles so far and I’m happy she’s running in the Listed Marygate Fillies’ Stakes at York. She won nicely on her debut at Thirsk and is thriving since that first run — she’s a real trier and showed natural speed and composure. The race contains a few genuine sprinters and the draw has been important this week, but with only ten declared and stall nine, I’m relaxed about her chance. It’s a big ask stepping up in class, but she deserves a shot.
Call Margot can make a mark on her British debut
I’m really looking forward to teaming up with Gemma Tutty on Call Margot in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap. She’s an improving ex-Irish filly by Blue Point and comes over in good form after a tidy win on Southwell’s Tapeta over the minimum trip. She won with a bit to spare and carries a light weight on her first run on British turf, so despite the step up in class I think she has a real chance, especially with a decent middle draw.
Moon Beginnings needs to rediscover his promise
I’m reunited with Dave Loughnane’s Moon Beginnings in the Yorkshire Equine Practice Handicap. I rode him to win on his debut at Chester and he travelled like a horse with a bright future that day. He’s struggled to build on that on the AW and was disappointing on his recent return to turf at Nottingham. He’s a big, imposing Saxon Warrior gelding and needs to find the form he showed as a juvenile, but a small drop in the handicap could help him get back on track.
Sintra has more to offer in the Gold Cup handicap
The Trade Nation London Gold Cup at Newbury often throws up a classy horse and Juddmonte’s Sintra is one I like. He made an encouraging handicap debut at Ascot, beating the favorite over a mile and a quarter, and looks to have more in hand. Off a light weight he should be able to show his ability against stronger opposition and I expect him to take a big step forward.
Don’t write off the veteran Albasheer
Aricie Watson’s Albasheer is older but very capable in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap. He ran well to finish second on the AW at Newcastle behind a Wathnan runner and returns to turf on a mark that leaves him a few pounds below his last winning rating. He can be quirky and you never quite know what version will turn up, but he has the right profile for this sort of race and handles a variety of ground.
Man Of La Mancha looks well treated
Ralph Beckett’s Man Of La Mancha ran a solid race on his reappearance at Newmarket over a mile and I thought he showed he’d come back in good shape. This is a deep handicap at Newbury and he’ll be up against some higher-rated rivals, but he should have sharpened up for that comeback and looks well treated on form.
Vollering heads to Ireland for a Group Three test
I’m heading to Naas on Sunday to ride Archie Watson’s Vollering in the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies’ Sprint Stakes. It’s a hot little Group Three with some strong contenders, but our filly beat a novice at Redcar and has the right profile to be competitive in Pattern company.
Zeus Olympios can come of age in the Lockinge
I’ve been vocal about my admiration for Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios and I think he can come of age stepping up to Group One level in the Boyle Sports Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. He’s a big colt who shaped well on his comeback, finishing third in the Bet365 Mile behind Opera Ballo and Field Of Gold, and should sharpen up for that run. He’s entitled to be one of the market principals.
Damysus is a clear danger
John and Thady Gosden’s Damysus is an obvious danger after winning the Group Three Earl of Sefton on his reappearance. That race may not have been the strongest renewal, so he’ll need to raise his game again here, but you can’t ignore him.
I spoke to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft about the weekend. Overall I’m excited by several rides — Niewiadoma, Call Margot and Zeus Olympios are particularly interesting — and I’m hopeful of some good results across York and Newbury.