Witch Hunter
NEWCASTLE
12:55
Witch Hunter (Richard Kingscote)
I was delighted to see him win the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last week because he’s always been a very good horse and when things go his way, he is very good. Everything went to plan and I hope some of you managed to get on at 50/1!
He’s obviously going to be much shorter than that here, and is back into Listed Company, but with a 5lbs rise for his Ascot victory it made sense to go for this level weights race rather than another Handicap. He was only beaten a head over course and distance in the big sprint final in April so the drop back to six won’t be a problem and he goes there with a serious chance.
4:25
Lexington Knight (Neil Callan)
He’s a tough little horse who is extremely consistent which is probably quite detrimental because he’s very much in the Handicapper’s grip, but this is his trip and he has a lovely attitude.
NEWMARKET
12:40
Ziggy’s Phoenix (Pat Dobbs)
She didn’t get the best of runs in the Hilary Needler last time but will like the step up to six and if we can grab some valuable Black Type, I’ll be very happy.
2:25
Crocus Time (Pat Dobbs)
She stayed on very nicely over six furlongs on debut at Thirsk, which is a sharp enough track, so the extra furlong will definitely suit and she has improved a lot for her first run. She’s a decent filly and has every chance, but this could turn out to be a very good Maiden.
WINDSOR
2:45
Commander Crouch (Sean Levey)
He needs to show a lot more than he did on debut at Brighton, but will have learnt a lot from it, and the step up in trip could help. That said, I think Handicapping will be his game.
Macanudo (Kevin Stott)
I was happy with his first run at Haydock where he did too much too soon and ultimately paid the price. The drop down to six will help and he has every chance.
3:20
Fakhra (Sean Levey)
Nothing went right for her at Wetherby last time but she still ran well under the circumstances and she’s learning all the time. A mile will suit her well and I’m expecting a bold show.
5:05
Swift Asset (Thomas Greatrex)
He didn’t get the best of luck at Goodwood, but finished his race well, and the Handicapper has left him alone. He’s going back up a grade but is in good form and should run well again.
CHESTER
1:57
Liv My Life (Sam Hitchcott)
She was quite disappointing at Salisbury last time when I thought she had a right chance, that said, it was behind Relief Rally who was only beaten a nose in the Queen Mary! But our filly is better than her latest run and I think she’s good enough to win a Maiden before going Handicapping.
3:42
Starnberg (Sam Hitchcott)
He was quite keen at Ascot in the Britannia and actually ran much better than the form figure suggests. The draw hasn’t been kind, but he’s pacey and Sam will try and make a run for it, although giving weight all around makes his task incredibly hard.
LINGFIELD
We’ve got a couple of runners down at Lingfield including Dapperling who comes into the 7:15 race with plenty of experience and has an obvious chance. Pink Lily is very consistent and should put up another bold show in the 6:40.
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