One winner for Godolphin at Royal Ascot in a handicap last week was not a vintage return for the operation and I do not think they have covered themselves in glory since the “resignation” of Racing Manager of 22 years Simon Crisford earlier in the year.
Both Charlie Appleby (Kind Invitation) and Saeed Bin Suroor (Wagwah) have fancied runners in the feature race at Newbury this evening but preference is for the unbeaten William Haggas’ filly My Spirit (8.35) who has won both her states including at Carlisle earlier in the month from an 8lb lower mark. Ryan Moore tales over in the saddle in what is a very competitive heat for the money with Asyad, making her seasonal reappearance, and Stereo Love others to consider in a race that is likely to throw up a number of winners in the second half of the season.
Perfect Muse (9.05) is creeping up the weights and has finished runner up in five of her six career starts but looked an unlucky loser at Lingfield last time and can final break her maiden in the finale. Adam Kirby has been in the plate for three of those five seconds and will be desperate to get a 1 next to her name.
It could be a good night for Clive Cox at his local track with Secret Spirit (6.55) expected to improve on her racecourse debut also at Newbury when third of thirteen. There are a number of debutantes in the field and the market should provide valuable clues as to their expectations but the Cox yard are in decent enough form and this daughter of Sakhee’s Secret gets the vote.
The beautifully bred filly Abaq (7.25) makes her racecourse debut for Richard Hannon in a race that is often won by a useful sort including subsequent Irish Guineas winner Just The Judge two years ago. The Charlie Hills-trained Star OF Spring and Roger Varian’s Ya Latif are two other newcomers to consider especially if the market speaks in their favour.
At Newton Abbot I am sweet on the chances of Rockchasebullett (7.35) despite carrying top weight of 11st 12lbs in the 2m 5f Handicap Chase. The selection bumped into a very well handicapped rival when runner up over C&D earlier in the month and he races from the same mark this evening.
McIllhatton (6.30) is, arguably, a winner without a penalty having been first past the post but disqualified at Stratford for interference to the runner up last month. His fast fluent jumping could be the decisive factor around a circuit where he ran well over timber and this winning point-to-pointer is another confident selection.
Mange All (2.15) can break his maiden at the third attempt in the extended mile maiden at Beverley having shaped with considerable promise in both starts to date. It will be interesting to see what handicap mark he gets if, as expected, he wins this afternoon and he might be one to follow going forward.
Sequester (3.15) doesn’t look badly handicapped for her handicap debut and the hope is that the step up in trip will suit. Connections will be desperate to get a win into her name for breeding purposes and she is a half-sister to eight previous winners including a Group 2 winner Albert Hall. She has only raced once previously on turf when showing considerable promise at Leicester over 7f on debut. Miss Lucy Jane looks likely to go off favourite for Richard Fahey and receives 4lbs, including jockey’s allowance, from the selection but Sequester might just be in a different class to this lot.
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