It was a real shocker last Saturday – I drove up to Newbury with Andrea Atzeni and there was an incident on the motorway, which meant we were completely gridlocked. I missed all my rides including a win on Scaramanga in the valuable Handicap and 2nd in the Weatherby’s Super Sprint. There was nothing we could have done and it was just one of those things, but it didn’t make it any less frustrating!
Friday at York
6:00 – DEJAME PASO
DEJAME PASO (7/4) would be my best chance of a winner this weekend I’d say. He has been in good form at home since his win at Sandown where he really enjoyed the quicker ground. I rode him before his latest win on soft ground and he just didn’t enjoy it. I don’t think 4lbs is enough to stop his progress and I’m really looking forward to riding him again.
6:30 – EXCESSABLE
EXCESSABLE (20/1) showed some nice form during the winter months but has tailed off a bit on his last few starts. Tim Easterby does very well at York so let’s hope he returns to form here!
7:00 – SILKEN PETALS
SILKEN PETALS (6/4) has been a bit unfortunate to not get her head in front so far in her career. She’s a sweet filly who has just been unlucky to bump into some useful types. This looks a great opportunity to get on the board and I wouldn’t swap her for anything else in the race.
7:30 – ARISTIA
ARISTIA (20/1) is dropping down in trip and class after finishing midfield in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. We all have the favourite (Alpine Star) to beat and she will be very hard to get past but I’ll take my time and hope to pounce late. It’d be great to get some black type with her.
Saturday at Newcastle
(Check out the latest odds for the runners at Newcastle here.)
1:00 – THOMAS LANFIERE
I have been fortunate enough to win twice on THOMAS LANFIERE already this season and he could have another good opportunity to go in again tomorrow. The strong pace that I think we’ll get here should suit him and he has a favourite’s chance.
4:30 – MAN OF RIDDLES
MAN OF RIDDLES won on debut on the all-weather but has struggled on turf since. The small field and return to all-weather should play to his strengths. He could be a bit underrated in the market here and we’re certainly not going up there just to make up the numbers.
5:05 – JEBEL DUKHAN
JEBEL DUKHAN is another who has proven quite hard to win with. He has hit the crossbar multiple times without winning. Let’s hope tomorrow is his day. He stays well and the blinkers definitely have helped him. The race looks open enough and he has as good a chance as any of them.
Stay safe,
Hayley!
*All odds correct at time of writing.