Witch Hunter winning the Hungerford at Newbury last year
SANDOWN – FRIDAY
1:50
Blue Lemons (Joe Leavy)
He’s a colt with a lot of ability and, while I’m not saying he would’ve won at Chelmsford last time, I think he’d have finished a lot closer if he hadn’t got a bump about a furlong out. This is his first start in a Handicap and he is plenty high enough for what he’s actually achieved so far, hence we’re taking 5lbs off, but this stiff track will suit and he has come on for his first run back.
3:00
Witch Hunter (Sean Levey)
We’ve already had some great days with him, including winning at Royal Ascot and the Hungerford Stakes and he has given his owner a lot of pleasure. This looks a competitive race but on ratings he’s entitled to be there and handles any ground; he’s also been away to gallop at Kempton. We’d like to run in the Lockinge so a good run here would book his ticket to Newbury next month.
4:45
Fihrayn (Sean Levey)
He ran three very solid races as a two-year-old and has matured a lot over the winter. The step up in trip is a big plus and he’s been working nicely. Most of them are all making their Handicap debuts, so are pretty much in the same bracket, but he has ability and shouldn’t be far away.
We’ve got a few runners elsewhere including Nazionale in the 2:33 at Doncaster. He was quite green at Kempton on debut but has come on a lot for it and I expect him to be thereabouts under Jamie Spencer.