Five of my runners take their place on Day 2 of the meeting at Doncaster with a smart filly by Acclamation, MONEY IN MY POCKET kicking us off at 1:55pm in the Fillies’ Nursery. This filly has needed a couple of runs to get into the swing of things but her last start at Goodwood, where she ran second by a neck was her best effort to date. It’s quite a step up in class but I think she is good enough to hold her own and she’s more than fit enough to run, and run well.
STORMY CLOUDS is my best chance today coming off the back of an impressive win at York two weeks ago. She’s as tough as nails and today’s test will only enhance her reputation. She’s been working very well at home and the trip will suit. Kieran O’Neill knows the filly well and I’m confident, even from stall 21, she will be right there in the finish.
ADMIRALITY ARCH meets his stablemate Stormy Clouds in the Weatherby’s Hamilton 2YO Stakes and even though he has shown his class, he will need to run his best today to be in the mix. You can forget his last run at Deauville as the conditions didn’t suit and he’s a better horse than that. I’m hoping he will run well.
DOURADO is my third contender in the 2YO Stakes and although he’s a 100-1 shot, he’s certainly not a 100-1 chance. His run last start at Sandown was disappointing, although he did race freely in front, which didn’t suit him. He won well at Lingfield two starts ago and if he brings that form today, he will be competitive in the field of 22 runners.
WAR WHISPER is my fifth and final runner for the day in the Ladbroke’s Handicap. The colt is having his first run of the season and it’s a nice place to start on good ground. It is a very competitive handicap but he will certainly come on from the run.
A special mention to COULSTY who runs in the Group 3 Prix du Pin at Chantilly at 2.25pm. This is an ideal race for him and although he has to step up from his run last time in a conditions race at Thirsk, the ground today will suit and I’m hoping for a good run with the Italian Champion Umberto Rispoli in the saddle.