Leading owners Paul and Clare Rooney are set to reduce their number of horses in training, revealing they want to focus on “quality over quantity”.  The Rooney’s have a large string of horses, both flat and national hunt, with grade 1 winners over jumps and a group 1 winner with My Dream Boat, who claimed the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2016.  Racing manager Jason Maguire has said that around 25 horses will be going to the sales, which indicates about a third of their string.

On to today’s runners.  At Ripon in the last race, Clearence looks to have a good chance of following up from his recent win at Ayr.  He won easily that day, quicker ground today, but this versatile gelding should not be inconvenienced by it.

At Bath, with quick underfoot conditions, it usually pays to follow horses that have course form on fast ground.  Lucky Number 5.50 is a course winner, similar conditions as to today’s, he is progressive, likely other course and distance winner Conspiritor is the danger, my selection looked as though he finally got the “message” last time, that he is a racehorse ! Some horses, are just like children, it takes them a while to get mentally switched on, I think this gelding could have a bit more to come, especially now he has got his head in front.