I have ridden two nice winners this week! The first of which came for Richard Hannon and Amo Racing when Symphony Perfect bolted up at Bath on Wednesday. Amo Racing is headed by football agent Kia Joorabchian, who is very passionate about racing. They have had plenty of success this season, most notably with Mojo Star who came 2nd in the Epsom Derby as a maiden, and he will try and break his maiden tag this weekend in the Irish Derby. The second winner came yesterday at my local track, when Spirit Mixer stayed on well to win for Andrew Balding and Jeff Smith. Jeff has been a hugely important owner in British racing for a very long time so it’s great to be able to win in his famous colours.
Friday at Chester
5:55 – Melody Of Life
Melody Of Life (7/4) is a very consistent type who has been knocking on the door of late. He ran well over course and distance at the start of May. He has a favourite’s chance in a small field and I will look to keep things as uncomplicated as possible.
6:30 – Never Said Nothing
Never Said Nothing (10/1) has got a good draw in 2. I’ve not ridden him before, but he is going up against some hardy campaigners here. He can travel well but needs things to fall right for him. Mark Loughnane had a great week at Royal Ascot and is a trainer going places.
7:05 – Babindi
Babindi (2/1) just got touched off a few weeks ago at Bath under Tom Marquand. She is bred to appreciate this step up in trip and she should have plenty of improvement left in her. William Haggas is a brilliant trainer of this type of horse and I’m hopeful she can get off the mark this evening.
7:40 – Adjuvant
This is Michael Bell’s only runner at Chester this evening. Unlike a few of them in the field, Adjuvant (7/2) is yet to make his debut but the form of the other contenders isn’t enough to think that we will be out of our depth here. He is a well-balanced colt but will certainly improve on whatever he shows this evening.
8:45 – Rival
Rival (7/2) returns to Chester having made all over course and distance at the end of May. He was raised 6lbs for that effort under Rob Hornby, but he remains in good form and looks the type who could easily progress through the handicap ranks over this trip for a trainer who is firing in the winners at the moment.
Saturday at Newmarket
1:00 – Victoria Grove
I always enjoy riding for Henry Spiller who is a very underrated trainer. Victoria Grove makes her first start. There are some very well-bred horses in the line-up and it’s hard to know how we’ll compare to them.
1:35 – Adelita
Adelita showed promise when I rode her at Kempton and Lingfield last year and it came as no surprise to me that she got off the mark this year under Laura Pearson. She has looked held off her mark of 73 since, however. Fingers crossed she can return to form here.
2:05 – Little Prayer
I won on Little Prayer (12/1) up at Nottingham last week. She showed plenty of ability that day and deserves a shot up in class. She is up against some very smart fillies but she has loads of scope to improve and I’m really looking forward to riding her.
3:50 – Lady Pendragon
Lady Pendragon is another filly I have won on. She showed a fantastic attitude to get on top at Lingfield back in December. She has only been seen once since finishing 3rd at Windsor, having gone up 4lbs. The break will have done her some good and I think that a mark of 74 is certainly workable.
Stay safe,
Hayley!
*All odds correct at time of writing.