Andrew Balding: My thoughts on our Saturday runners
The Betway ambassador previews his runners on Saturday, with 14 entries at Goodwood, York, the Curragh, Haydock and Lingfield.
Oo De Lally (13:40 York) will benefit from any more rain they have at York. He ran a decent race on his comeback, where conditions were a little quick for him. I’ve been very happy with him since and he’s got a great chance of being in the mix.
War In Heaven (13:45 Goodwood) was suited by Ascot last time, so I would have some reservations about him handling Goodwood as well as he did the Berkshire course. He’s well drawn and if he gets some cover early, he should run with credit.
Valley Forge (14:00 Haydock) ran well on his comeback run and is entitled to come on for that, too. He wouldn’t want much more rain but he’s a good horse and would have every chance.
Distant Light (14:20 York) has been very consistent. She ran a good race at Goodwood last time and this looks the right next step for her. It’s a big field and it’ll be competitive, but I think she could run well off this mark.
Morando (14:50 Goodwood) would want it much softer underfoot to be at his very best. He’s pretty high in the weights, and he’s not getting any younger. But we know on his best form he’s a good horse.
Secret Shadow (14:50 Goodwood) runs in the same race. This race looks ideal for her. She really enjoys soft ground and is still reasonably well handicapped, or so we hope. She’s got the attributes to go very well.
Imperial Fighter (15:20 Curragh) runs in the Irish 2000 Guineas. His Burradon run was good and can be marked up as he didn’t have the best of runs. I’ve been happy with him since. While Native Trail and Buckaroo are going to be very tough to beat, it wouldn’t be the biggest of surprises if he did run well and ran into a place.
Something Enticing (15:25 Goodwood) would want it soft as she handles those conditions well. She ran well at Kempton and will have improved for that run, and although this is step up in class, she has previously placed in listed class, so it’s not too farfetched to thin she could go well.
Silence Please (15:30 York) was unlucky at Goodwood last time. The track should suit her well and although she’s been with us for six months or so now, we are still learning about her. I do like her.
King’s Lynn (15:45 Haydock) ran a good race at Chester on his comeback. It’s no surprise that his main target is the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, in Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year, but this is a good prep for run him. Winter Power will be very tough to beat, though but he ours won at the track last season and should run well.
Speak (16:00 Goodwood) ran well at Windsor on her comeback run. I’m interested to see how she runs going up in trip now. She’s always been a horse we’ve liked, and you’d have to think there is mileage in her current mark.
Sir Henry Cotton (16:35 Goodwood) ran well on his first try at 5f. He’s been ultra-consistent but is still on a workable mark and again, he should give his running.
Far Away Thoughts (16:42 York) has had a break since his all-weather campaign. It’s difficult to know what he achieved there, but he’s a handy horse and hopefully he takes well to turf.
Nietzsche’s Star (18:15 Lingfield) has got a big engine on him at home, so it’s fair to say that he disappointed us last season, although his runs were totally devoid of promise. He’s been gelded and is into handicaps now, so we’re hoping he can start to show us on the track, what he shows us at home.
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