Mehmas winning the July Stakes
TOORMORE ran a courageous fourth in the Sussex Stakes giving weight away to the three year olds. He travelled well out the back and made a bold bid for home, making up steady ground to claim fourth spot near the line. ‘I was delighted with his run and feel that he is running as well as he has ever done. It’s a big ask giving away eight pounds to the three year olds but to run as well as he did is a credit to the horse. There are plenty of options for him both here and abroad.’ On the second day Richard came close to bagging a winner with PROMOSING in the Fillies Maiden. She was right there until the line and looks a filly with a lot of potential. ‘She was very good on debut and only went down to a more experienced rival. She is a lovely filly and should be winning a maiden in no time.’
Day three and it’s Goodwood Cup day. No runners in the feature event, but plenty to look forward tot. MEHMAS takes his place in the Richmond Stakes which is the second race of the day. ‘He is such a great horse to train and seems to keep on improving. He will love this ground and should handle the track. Although he is giving away three pounds after his July Stakes win he should be right there again today. He did the best piece of work I have seen him do earlier this week.’
In the Fillies Maiden over seven furlongs, I am running HELMSDALE the daughter of Nathaniel. ‘She ran a nice race at Salisbury on her first start and should find the necessary improvement to be competitive here. Experience counts for a lot in these races and if she handles the track she has a great chance.’ With three horses heading to post in the seven furlong Nursery, Richard has a nice chance of capturing this race. ‘AT THE BEACH was disappointing last time, but I have reached for the headgear this time and I expect him to run much better off this low weight. LOGI is another horse who I have put headgear on and I feel he should be able to finish stronger this time. He has been running well all season without hitting the line. Finally GENEVA CONVENTION comes off the back of a nice win at Ascot. Things went his way that day as he managed to secure an easy lead, it wont be as easy for him here but he has been given a nice chance at the weights and he knows how to win.’
With other runners up and down the country, there appears to be some nice chances. FABRIC is taking her chance in a five furlong Maiden at Nottingham where she should take all the beating. TORCH, another Highclere owned horse, is taking his chance in the mile Maiden and on known form should be hard to beat. Over in Wales at Ffos Las, WALKING IN RHYTHM is having her handicap debut and should appreciate the step up to a mile and quarter. This looks a good race to get her head in front. Last of all, THE INVISIBLE DOG who was so close over seven furlongs the other day is tackling the mile for the first time in handicaps and should be one of our better chances of the day.