Toormore wins the Bet365 Mile at Sandown
With a relatively quiet week of racing, it gives us time to reflect on the season so far and the Guineas weekend.
Heading to Newmarket last weekend, TOORMORE had won his seasonal reappearance in the Bet365 Mile Group 2 at Sandown under an inspired ride by William Buick. 'He has come through that race really well and we are heading straight to the Lockinge along with our other stable representative ESTIDHKAAR.' The later is having his first start this year and according to Richard he is in great order. 'He's working well and I would expect him to run a good race.' MARENKO, the daughter of Exceed And Excel, won the Fred Darling Group 3, keeping her strike rate at 100% for the year. 'She has done really well since her last run. I am inclined to leave her untill Royal Ascot, but things can change.'
The two year olds have got off to a nice start, especially with the first season stallions. So far Richard has trained a Dragon Pulse, Sir Prancealot and Helmet winner. STORMY CLOUDS has won two races and after her impressive performance in the conditions race at Salisbury on Sunday, she looks a Queen Mary type. 'We are starting to have a few more two year old runners. They will all improve from their first runs. HAKEEM ran very nicely on his debut at Newmarket on Saturday. He will improve significantly, but ran a great second in a competitive maiden. LEGENDARY LUNCH is a horse we have always really liked and got the job done at Windsor on his first race start.'
ILLUMINATE ran in the 1000 Guineas on Sunday at Newmarket. 'She travelled really well throughout and looked set to run a big race, however she just didn't get the trip. That was always the question mark going into the race and now we know. The logical step is to head to the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.'
We also had a couple of maidens that ran nice races at Goodwood, which included TORCH, a son of Paco Boy and JAYJINSKI. They look like two horses that will be right there on their next starts.