Doncaster runners

Spanish Mission  goes in the Doncaster Cup at 15:15. He’s still fairly new to us. We hadn’t had him very long at all when he won at Chester last time.

We’ve been very pleased with him since and these do appear like his ideal underfoot conditions. The question mark around the distance is the same for us as it is for most of the field.

He’s got plenty of class and is a worthy favourite.

On official ratings, Round Six  has lots to do in the Flying Scotsman (15:45), but the manor of his victory at Kempton was good and he seems to have improved since.

This is a deep race, but it does look wide open, so we’re looking forward to taking our chance.

Sandown runners

I’ve got two runners in the 14:00 at Sandown.

Spirit Mixer   has been very disappointing given his pedigree and the ability that he shows us at home.

If he runs to anything like what we’ve seen at home then he’ll have a good chance, but he’s not done it on the track twice now.

Conquering Eagle   ran a nice race first time out at Sandown last month in what now looks a very hot race.

I think he’ll appreciate the extra furlong, although he does seemingly have a bit to find with Maximal.

Mon Choix   has gone up a lot in the weights, but I don’t think that was a factor in why he didn’t feature at York last time out.

With the ground drying, he could have a sporting chance of getting in the placings in the 14:30.

Spirit Warning  has plenty of ability on a going day but is yet to really show it on a racecourse this year. We’ve got Callum Hutchinson taking a very valuable 7lb off his back in the 15:05 and we hope that could play a part in getting his fortunes to change.

Top Drop   ran well last time out at Chelmsford, but he’s yet to really do it on the turf. He’s in off a low weight in the 16:05 and conditions seem ideal for him. 

Chester runners

Rival   was disappointing last time out, but I think it was down to the ground being too quick for him. I hope the ground holds on the slower side and if he does, he could have a squeak in the Novice Stakes (14:20).

Bonnyrigg   was another who was disappointing last time out, but they went off very hard and he paid the price for that towards the end of the race.

It’s fair to say that this is a bit of a retrieval mission, but I do think he’s fairly handicapped in the 14:55.

Wild Hero   has been very consistent this year. We’re trying a step up in trip in the GoRacingGreen Handicap (15:30), which I hope will help him. He’s got a nice chance.

Montanari   has been off a long time with a series of little problems, but we’ve always thought a lot of him. His homework of late has been excellent and he should take all of the beating in the 16:35.

Natural History   is another who has been off the track for a long time but has plenty of ability and should have a good chance in the penultimate race on the card (17:10).

Salisbury runners

Seb’s Welcome   is making his racecourse debut in the opener at Salisbury (15:25) and, while I think he’ll be winning races at some stage, he’ll probably need the racecourse experience first.

Bashful   is having his first start in the 15:55 and is a horse I like. I think he’s capable of winning this year and as his homework has been good, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went close.

Cadeau D’Or   has ability, although he is still raw. If it wasn’t too fast for him, then he could run a nice race in the 18:05 as I’m sure he’s got a decent engine.

Cleonte   has been off for just under a year, but he’s been moving well at home, so we’re going to get going with him in the Persian Punch Conditions Stakes (18:35). He usually needs his first run, but that will put him spot on for an autumn campaign.

Ranch Hand   also goes in the same race. He ran a really good race in the Ebor last month and the conditions will suit him, too.

He doesn’t want the ground to dry up too much. It’s not that he doesn’t go on it, it’s just that it will suit the others more.

Sea Sculpture   has suffered from being too high in the weights for a long time. Bradley Harris had a nice spin on him last time out, so we’re giving him another chance in the last race of the day (19:05).

He also takes off 7lb, which is an obvious plus.

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