Back from a well deserved break. I always think from the end of August until the end of the turf season on the flat, it’s even more difficult than ever when trying to find a winner. So I took a bit of time away.
But some really top class races at todays meeting at Newmarket, where they had a good amount of rain on Friday morning before racing, making the ground on the slower side of good. Both tracks at Newmarket drain very well, as it is chalk based.
Mystic Pearl 4.50 Newmarket won by a small margin last time at Thirsk, she beat a horse I had backed that day, who was a tad unlucky not to win, but with a good bit of improvement likely for this filly, I think she has a good each way chance, in what looks a competitive fillies nursery, she is around 5/1 with most firms.
Flying Honours 1.50 at Newmarket should get favourite backers off to a good start, he is improving with racing, and should win.
The Juddmonte Midle Park Stakes (Group 1) over 6 furlongs is always a good guide to possibly next years top flight sprinters, and possibly the top class races over a mile. This year It looks a very open race, Blackbeard has been ultra consistent, and keeps winning. He tends to get quite on edge at the start, so if he looks ‘wired’ at the start, do not be too worried, it’s just how he is. He is one I do not expect to be racing beyond 6-7f next year, as he has lots of early speed, and looks a mature two year old, he is also a real smart horse. I am unlikely to have a bet in the race as it’s very hard to pick one that is a stand out.
Marshman, Mischief Magic, Persian Force and the least experienced Zoology are all in it with a chance of winning, a good race to watch. At Haydock, where showers are forecast, Onslow Gardens 3.50 looks the best horse on form, he will be hard to beat, although a lot of these are unraced, and could be useful.
More soon.