EPSOM – FRIDAY
2:00 Woodcote Stakes
New Charter (Sean Levey)
We’ve always thought a great deal of her, and I said as much in my Unibet Blog before her debut at Newmarket where she put up a fantastic effort to finish second behind Charlie Appleby’s filly, who is now favourite for the Albany. She took a keen hold that day but stayed on very nicely to finish her race well and, like most of ours, she has come on a bundle for it. We’ve got a pretty decent record in the Woodcote and I’m hopeful this talented filly can add to our tally.
5:40 Handicap
Dark Thirty (Sean Levey)
He badly missed the break at Newmarket last time, so did well to finish where he did, and I think that could turn out to be a pretty good race, because the second, English Oak, came out and bolted up at Haydock on Saturday. Six and seven furlongs come the same to him and the handicapper has kept him on the same mark. The going should be ok, as he handles cut in the ground, but I wouldn’t want it to go extremely soft.
Speeding Bullet (Silvestre De Sousa)
He showed smart form as a two-year-old and has been in very good form at home. I think the drop back to seven furlongs is a big plus and he won’t have any issue with the ground. He’s been gelded over the winter which will hopefully bring out a little of improvement and he’s ready to go.
We’ve got a few runners up at Doncaster where Love Billy Boy is probably our best chance in the 7:15. He posted another good effort at Newmarket last time, off the same mark as today, and has a serious shout. Pilato Pardo steps up to a mile in the 6:15 and I’d expect him to be quite competitive on his seasonal debut.