David Probert blog: ‘I think he could make up into a Royal Ascot contender’

David Probert presents another exclusive blog with Coral, with the jockey previewing his rides this weekend at Newbury.

So Moonstruck has obviously had a good bit of time off the track, but I’ve had a sit on him at home recently, and he does feel like a nice horse. He is a big horse, and he feels very fresh at the minute, so I’d say whatever he does this weekend, he’ll step forward considerably for it.

He was a good third in the German Derby when he was last seen in 2022, so he does bring a high level of form to the race, and I’d say he’s going to be a lovely recruit for the team at Owen Burrows’.

It’s a very good race, so it won’t be easy for him, but hopefully he can run well, but I’d say it’s mostly about him coming home well and having a positive experience after such a long absence.

So Moonstruck odds: 10/1

I think Ferrous is a really interesting runner in this race because he’s been improving massively on the all-weather, so it’s just whether he can translate that back to the turf.

His work has been excellent of late, and I actually think he could make up into a Royal Ascot contender, so if he is going to do that, then he’ll need to run well in this race tomorrow. 

We wouldn’t want the ground to dry up too much for him, but he’s a really lovely horse, and while there are plenty of nice types in there, I think he goes there with an excellent chance.

Ferrous odds

Metal Merchant was very good when winning the Spring Cup at Newbury last time, and he’s a very tough horse who brings a good level of form to the race. He likes those big fields, so he should enjoy this, but he’s another horse I wouldn’t want the ground to dry up too much for.

There looks to be plenty of speed around where we are drawn, so we should get a nice tow into the race, and hopefully everything will go to plan for him.

Godwinson who we beat last time is in opposition once again, so I’m sure his connections will be confident he can reverse the form, but I really like Metal Merchant, and I’m confident he’ll be bang there once again.

Metal Merchant odds

Our Golden One really surprised us last time actually as we just felt she might need the run, but I thought she won well in the end which was a real positive. We’ll find out more about her tomorrow going up in class, but I’d be very hopeful she’s up to competing at this sort of level.

There are a few fillies that bring real potential to the race, but she won with some authority last time, so she certainly shouldn’t be underestimated.

As I say, we’ll learn a bit more tomorrow about just how good she is and where we can go with her for the rest of the season, but I think she’s a very promising filly, and I’m really looking forward to the ride.

Our Golden One odds

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