I, along with the rest of the weighing room, was absolutely gutted to hear the news of Pat Smullen’s passing this week. He was a legend of the weighing room and an incredibly good man. My thoughts go to his family at this very difficult time.
Friday: Kempton
5.10 – Alpine Springs
Apline Springs is a filly with talent. She was a bit too keen at Lingfield on her latest start when the ground was a bit quick for her. I think the return to the all-weather will suit her much more here. Michael’s horses are running well enough and I think she has a decent chance of getting her head in front.
6.10 – Smoke On The Water
Smoke On The Water is very unexposed compared to a few of these. He showed plenty of promise on his handicap debut but probably found the 6 furlongs a bit sharp. The step up to 7 furlongs will really suit him and he could be dangerous off 67.
6.40 – Blue Eagle
I ride another of Charlie Fellowes’ here. Blue Eagle has only had two starts to date. He’s been fairly well beaten on both those starts over 1 mile 2 furlongs, but he steps up in distance today. There are a couple of very useful looking rivals in the shape of Godolphin’s Moving Light and Andrew Balding’s Fiesta De Vega who both won impressively on debut. I think we’ll have our work cut out to challenge them!
7.15 – Tigerten
In the 2 mile handicap, I ride Tigerten for Joe Tuite. Joe had a nice winner at Chester last weekend. Tigerten has been running really well of late and has gone shooting up in the handicap as a result but I think he looks the type that will keep on improving. He clearly stays very well and this trip will play to his strengths no end. He is getting a fair amount of weight from the older horses here and at this time of year that could be key.
Saturday: Newbury
4.30 – Sir Titan
Sir Titan is a horse I know well. I won on him when he was at Marcus Tregoning’s and have been 3rd on him for Tony Carroll. He’s a smashing horse who rarely runs a bad race. He’s gone up 5lbs for his success at Goodwood but he’s won off 80+ twice before in his career so he shouldn’t be discounted. Newbury is a very fair track and I hope things fall right for him on Saturday.