You might have noticed that I have started a “Hall of Fame” section recently for favourite horses of mine. Well I am sure I will find a place for Quito in that select band as he has been a great friend over the years and won for me yet again today at York. He has a tremendous turn of foot at the end of his races and won with a typical swooping late run today to score his 19th career success and his 3rd at York. With regular pilot Tony Culhane sidelined Robert Winston proved a more than able deputy.
Another old friend to win today was Smokin’ Beau who has certainly recaptured some of his old sparkle of late. He had shown some good form at Glorious Goodwood and was always in the fore at Musselburgh today under a tidy ride from Victoria Behan.
We also had a winner from the list to follow with Reverence taking the Nunthorpe with some aplomb.
Moving on to the numerous meetings on Friday Centreboard should go well in the 6.00 at Bath. He was 6th behind the smart English Ballet last time out.
Phone In found his way into my list to follow as a promising Sir Mark Prescott 3 year old but he has been most disappointing and has now changed stables. He runs in the 8.00
Kenmore is being tipped up by some for the 2.55 at Chester after tumbling down the weights. He is drawn badly though. Ordnance Row is still running off a mark higher than his best winning rating. He does have a good draw though.
One of the better chances of a winner from our list to follow is probably Heaven Knows in the 4.40. This lightly raced three year old should appreciate a step up in distance and comes from a stable that is going well.
I thought Cliché ran well in 4th on her debut behind So Sweet and I fancy her to open her account in the Newmarket 1.40. Of the unraced types Wanessa Tiger looks interesting being a half sister to top sprinter Fayr Jag.
There are a number of runners in the 2.10 that have been featured on these pages during the season, like Gremlin, Eager Ivor and Cheap Street. Gremlin perhaps has the best chance of these.
Silca Soprano won last time out at Southwell but without too much to spare and I am by no means certain that she will be able to follow up in the 2.45.
Henry Cecil does not get as many winners as in his golden period but seems to have a useful 2 year old in Many Volumes who created a very favourable impression when a close up 3rd on his debut last month. He is the obvious selection although some of the newcomers could be a danger. Forefathers, Rock Anthem and Vanquisher are all the subject of promising reports.
Whispering Death has done well for the list to follow. He runs in the 4.30 and should go well if handling the ground.
Stagehand has an each way chance in the 5.20 at Salisbury.
Godolphin colt Sharpsburg makes a belated reappearance in the 6.50 at Salisbury. He has been off the course since running 2nd in a Newbury maiden last October. With the Godolphin horses in such great form I am hopeful.
Inflight stormed home in good style at Kempton the other day and looks to follow up quickly under a 6 lbs penalty in the 2.00 at Sandown.
Harrison’s Flyer will be having his 9th run of the season in the 2.35. He is proving expensive to follow.
Regal Flush shaped well on his debut at Newbury and should go well in the 3.10.
See you tomorrow
ahorse 