Crowley calls it: “Stars Over the Sea stays well and looks over-priced.”
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Battaash
I was gutted that Battaash got beat last Sunday in the Prix De L’Abbaye. We went quite quick which is normally his forte but I was never really comfortable.
He hasn’t run a bad race but I know he’s much better than that. He was very quiet before the race whereas he’s normally on his toes.
We might ride him a bit differently next season. It’s quite frustrating as he can be brilliant some days and then ordinary on others.
Saturday – Newmarket
I haven’t ridden him before. It was a messy race when he ran last time at Yarmouth. He needs a strong gallop.
He’s going to have to step up on what he’s done but it’s not like William Haggas to run a horse in a Group race unless it has a chance.
He was very impressive last time when he won. He’s a keen free-going horse and he won by 10 lengths.
He’s only been put up 4 lbs and if he can run to that level again he’d have a good chance. He stays very well but whether he can get an uncontested lead like last time is another question.
He’s trained by a brilliant trainer, and this has been the target all along. He stays well and he looks over-priced to me. It would be nice to win the Cesarewitch.
I like the long distance staying races as it reminds me of when I was a jump jockey.
It’s a fantastic prize money pot. It just adds to the quality of the race as it attracts better horses, and trainers and owners will target the race even more.
They are hard races to win and now with that prize money dangling they’ll be even harder to win.
I ride Zain Hana for Jeremy Noseda. It looks like she’s improving and conditions should suit but she’s going to have to step up on what she’s achieved so far.
He won a Listed race last time and the step up in trip has been a big help. You’d be fearful of the Andre Fabre horse in the race but I wouldn’t be too worried about the others.
He’s a decent horse and things didn’t work out for him earlier in the season. I was impressed with him last time and this is a good opportunity for him.
You can forgive him his last run on heavy ground at Pontefract which he hated.
He’s back on the all-weather which he likes but with a bit of an outside draw. He’s a bit of an in and out performer. I’m more hopeful than confident.
Sunday – Goodwood
It’s his first time in a nursery off a mark of 73 which looks a reasonable handicap mark.
You never know with Nurseries what you are up against. Hopefully he can run well.
He ran appallingly first time out. He was as green as the grass he was running on, running around and was clueless.
I’m hoping he’s learned from that day at the races and can run better. But he’ll need to make a big step forward.
He won last time out on the all-weather. Six furlongs looks to be his ideal trip and he should like slow ground as he’s by Dark Angel. He would have a chance.
Jim
