SKRacing Stable Tour

Here he discusses his pick of the team he handles in Upper Lambourn.

Courtesy At the Races 27 May 2008

Older horses

CALDRA
4 b g Elnadim - Lady Rachel.
Very smart at two winning four from seven in including group three Autumn Stakes at Ascot. Leg injury was a major hindrance to progress last season which didn't begin until August and his best run was probably his fifth and final appearance when half a length third to Jalmira over his preferred distance of a mile in listed event at Newmarket on November 3. Has been 109, dropped to 104 and back to 108 for first outing this season when just under four lengths fourth of five to Cesare in mile listed race at Ascot April 30.
"Has a dodgy joint so is a nightmare to get fit and wasn't 100 per cent last time. When he is he'll win. The form of his last run has also worked out ok. I've got him in at Goodwood on May 31 over a mile and I think he's still got enough speed for seven. The problem is that I have to be sympathetic with him after each run and he might be even better after the next one but I still expect him to run very well at Goodwood. He's like an alcoholic - one day at a time. He is better with some give because of his the cannon bone he fractured."

ELHAMRI
4 b/br g Noverre - Seamstress.
Fast two-year-old winning Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and Super Sprint at Newbury and rated 111. Without a win in seven runs last season and failed to sparkle in first two runs this season before dropping to career low 85 and showing plenty of tenacity to make all at Goodwood in five furlong handicap May 22. Never that big and drop in weights clearly a massive help.
"I'm looking at a 0-105 five furlong handicap at York on May 31 and with his penalty he might get in. He needs fast ground but the problem is that he gets bumped around in every race he's in because he's so small. At Goodwood it was a smaller field and it was easier for him to compete and the drop in rating was also a big help. It's possible he could have needed his first couple of runs and he may well improve again."

Three-year-olds

BALLORA
Ro f Kendor - Vodka.
Progressive in three outing last season finishing with length and three quarter defeat of Pediment in mile maiden at Kempton September 7. Debut mark of 76 does not seem too harsh.
"Has had some niggly little problems that have held her back but she's definitely worth keeping an eye on because I'm not disappointed with 76. Should be running towards the end of June. A mile is ok and I think she's quick enough for six furlongs."

COMEBACK QUEEN
Gr/b f Nayef - Miss Universe.
Won Lingfield debut in October a length and three quarters from Heritage Coast. Beaten under a length into fifth in mile listed race at Newmarket won by Classic Legend and rated 89. Good second to Jazz Jam, beaten half a length in mile listed race at Kempton April 12 but never competitive when upped to 10 furlongs and seventh of eight to Lush Lashes in Musidora at York, May 14.
"We went for the pot of gold at York and it didn't come off although she was in season and she was very subdued before. I think her previous runs entitled her to run better. We were a bit concerned that she might not have got the trip and I might drop her back to a mile for the Sandringham at Royal Ascot. She's best on good ground and not extremes - she doesn't look a fast ground filly but she hasn't run enough to be definitive but I feel there's more to come."

DUTY DOCTOR
Ch f Dr Fong - Duty Paid.
Maiden that looked useful first two starts last season, notably when second to Harlem Shuffle over seven at Kempton in October. Well beaten on comeback off debut 70 but much better effort only subsequent run when two lengths second of 12 to Little Knickers in seven furlong Lingfield handicap off 67. Drop to 64 looks extremely interesting.
"Ran well last time at Lingfield and I think she's on a good mark, however she has a sinus infection which is holding her up. She's definitely improving and the longer she gets the more she'll strengthen. Probably won't be out until the later stages of June over seven."

ESPY
B g Piccolo - Running Glimpse.
Unraced at two and progressive five starts over sprint distances this year. Easily won penultimate start on handicap debut 71 at Kempton May 5 and improved when taking on stiffer opposition latest outing, again over five, at Newmarket May 15 off 77. Up to 81 but still improving and a decent prize awaits.
"Improved out of all knowledge, won his last two and probably should have won his maiden at Brighton on April 13 but I was worried about his fitness and the trip which was six furlongs so I had him dropped out. He has the pedigree to make more improvement and he's still filling out. I think he'll be ok at six but if you've got a speed horse like this why go further than five ? He's ok on fast ground and providing the going is alright there's a good race for him at Haydock on May 30 and he's still on a fair enough mark. He'll have a break after that."

FAIR GALE
B g Storming Home - Triple Green.
Won last of five starts in 2007 beating Seattle Storm a length and a half over a mile at Kempton in December off 73. Up to 78 and probably ran better than final position when ninth of 15 to Allied Powers when upped to 11 furlongs at Newbury first run of season May 16.
"I thought he ran well at Newbury last time and I'm going to run him at Goodwood on May 30 in mile and a quarter handicap. The Newbury run has brought him on and the Goodwood distance is possibly more suitable. Newbury was his first run on turf and he would be ok on anything barring extremes."

FATHSTA
B c Fath - Kilbride Lass.
Extremely busy with 23 career starts but has won six and is thriving on racing. Produced career best performance last outing over seven furlongs at York May 14 beating Generous Thought by easy two lengths off 85. Up to 93 but on a roll.
"Quite unbelievable the way this horse has improved and his Newmarket run on April 16 when he was two lengths fifth to Prohibit might have been his best. It's possible the York race he won last time was not as strong as it usually is but it was the best race he's won. Seven furlongs on quick ground looks ideal but this is a late foal and we did get after him a bit last season so he is still improving so he should win off 93. He'll run in a seven furlong handicap at Epsom on Oaks day. It's possible he could stay a mile."

LIBERTY VALANCE
B g Statue Of Liberty - Tabdea.
Definite signs of ability both starts last season over seven and six furlongs. Won comeback over seven at Lingfield in February and rated 74 after beating Always Certain a length and a half. Head second to Asian Power next outing when dropped to six at Kempton February 13 and upped to 77. Not seen out since.
"He's been given a break and time to strengthen. He goes to Leicester on May 27 for a seven furlong handicap and my horses that have been running on the all weather have improved when they've gone back to turf. Whatever he does, he will improve."

NICE WEE GIRL
B f Clodovil - Neat Dish.
Winnerless in seven starts last season from July through to December, over six and seven furlongs. Is thriving this season having run six times and winning twice off 65 and 72. Best run, however when just under five lengths fifth of 18 to Clifton Dancer in competitive seven furlong handicap at Newbury May 17 off 78, staying on really well without getting into the race. Stayed on to take second on latest start when back to six furlongs at Newmarket and may need the extra furlong.
"I thought she was potentially very good last season but she cut her knee which meant we had to leave her alone. She has strengthen and on the all weather she might be better at six furlongs. She should have been in the first three when she was fifth at Newbury but I had her dropped out. She was back to six at Newmarket on May 26 which was the only fillies handicap at that trip for a month but the way she was staying on to be second after coming from off the pace at Newmarket she might be better back at seven. She'll have a short break."

OPERA PRINCE
B g Kyllachy - Optaria.
Uninspiring in two outings last season but transformed in two outings this year, second to Always A Rock over seven at Wolverhampton in April and overcoming bump at start when staying on well to hold Sylvia's Grove by half a length in seven furlong Warwick handicap off 73 on May 10. Move to 77 might not be enough to put the brakes on.
"The secret to this horse is that he needs good ground and it was fast enough at Warwick last time. I feel this could be a decent horse and I fancied him when he was beaten first time out at two. He is on a reasonable enough mark and if he were to win at Leicester on May 26 there is a good option for him at the next York meeting - he has the pace for six furlongs alright."

PAPUAN PRINCE
B g Tagula - Pussie Willow.
One uninspiring run last season and much better sole start this year when three lengths sixth of 14 to Mooted when upped to a mile at Windsor May 8.
"A horse I've always liked but he had knee trouble at two which has been a problem. He's ok at present and if he can keep overcoming that he'll win races, possible over six furlongs although seven or a mile might be more suitable once he gets into handicaps but not on fast ground given his problem."

RAMONA CHASE
3 b g High Chaparral - Audacieuse.
Won fourth of seven starts last season but very keen and didn't look straightforward. Much better in three outings this year, dropped from 95 to 92 and just under three lengths fourth of 14 to Strategic Mission in tough ten furlong handicap at Newbury May 17. Stayed on well despite getting a moderate run two out. Up two to 95 but has a touch of class if staying right in the head.
"A different horse this year, still a handful but has settled down and he has the pedigree to suggest he will improve to be a good horse this year. Got stuck in traffic at Newbury but ran on well and the move to 95 might not stop him. He should stay a mile and a half but there is a good option over a mile and a quarter at Epsom on Derby day. In that he'll be getting weight instead of giving it. I'd like to move him on to a mile and a half handicap at the big Goodwood meeting and before that there is the George V Handicap at Royal Ascot."

Two-year-olds

BARWELL BRIDGE
B c Red Ransom - Sentimental Value.
Looked backward and very slowly away but got into the race well before fading inside the sixth furlong when six lengths seventh of 16 to Indian Art at Goodwood May 22.
"Big and backward at Goodwood but did very well because he'll be better over seven and possibly a mile. I wouldn't want any other horse that finished in front of him at Goodwood. He'll go over seven next time and Jamie Spencer said to leave him alone for a month."

OUR WEE GIRL
B/br f Choisir - Zwadi.
Travelled like the winner over a furlong out when just flattening in the final 110 yds when length and a half second of seven to Crystal Moments on debut over five at Sandown May 21.
"I was disappointed she got beaten at Sandown because he's done everything right at home but just began to climb and ran a bit green inside the last furlong. She's shown enough pace to leave a three-year-old. Probably better over six furlongs but because of her pace I'm giving her another run over five at Leicester on May 27 to see if she's good enough to go to Ascot - I think she could definitely compete."

SHORT CUT
B c Compton Place - Rush Hour.
All at sea when last on debut at Salisbury in five furlong maiden won by Tishar.
"Probably wasn't right when he ran at Salisbury and he'd being looked over. Certainly better than that. Five on fast ground also wasn't ideal, needs six."

TALKING HANDS
B g Mujahid - With Distinction.
Got going very late when ten lengths seventh of 13 to Instalment over six on debut at Newbury May 16.
"I thought it was a good first run at Newbury which has brought him on and I'll stay at six furlongs. Definitely shows enough to win a race."

TRUE BRITANNIA
B f Lujain - Surf Bird.
Plenty to like about debut when staying on to be never dangerous third of 11 to Mythical Border over five at Lingfield May 9.
"Had been suffering with sore shins so ran better than I expected and will be better over six furlongs."

CABO POLONIO
B f Captain Rio - Sibilant.
Unraced
"Early foal but cut a leg and is just getting over it and ready for the second half of June. Nice"

FANTASTIC DAY
B c Fantastic Light - Seamstress.
Unraced
"Half brother to Elhamri and I could run him now but the Fantastic Light influence is making me hold off. Lovely horse."

FLEUR DE'LION
Ch f Lion Heart - Viburnum.
Unraced
"By an interesting sire that is in his first season but getting winners. She might run at Newbury on May 31 but is the type to improve again."

HELLBENDER
Ch c Exceed And Excel - Desert Rose.
Unraced
"I'm very pleased with him and he should be out in the first week of June but he gives me the impression he'll be even better after a couple of outings."

INNISH BOFFIN

Unraced
"Lovely filly that I'll start over six but will be better over seven furlongs."

LENNIE BRISCO
B c Rock Of Gibraltar - Tammany Hall.
Unraced
"He is one for later but a colt that I've been very pleased with already."

TIMETEAM
B c Danetime - Ceannanas.
Unraced
"Smashing little horse, and certainly sharp enough for five."

TRUE DECISION
B c Reset - True Precision.
Unraced
"Half brother to Pivotal Point that is speedy and will run in mid-June."