Happy Romance
SATURDAY
NEWMARKET
12:55 Fillies’ Handicap
Grande Rumore (Martin Dwyer)
She is a real tough filly with a great attitude who probably doesn’t quite get a mile (yet) so the drop back down to 7 furlongs will be in her favour and the Handicapper has dropped her a pound therefore I see no reason why she can’t put up a bold show.
2:05 Listed Hopeful Stakes
Watan (Andrea Atzeni)
He was only beaten about four lengths in the Unibet Stewards Cup last time which was a very good effort and a reproduction of that would see him go pretty close. He’s always been a talented horse who has shown a high level of form and I maintain there is a decent race in him; today could easily be the day.
2:45 Handicap
Lexington Dash (William Buick)
You can ignore his last run at Newbury where the ground was much too soft for his liking and as long as there’s not too much rain around at Newmarket he should be suited by the underfoot conditions. He’s in great form at home so I’m quite hopeful.
GOODWOOD
1:50 G3 Prestige Stakes
Happy Romance (Sean Levey)
She’s been an absolute star all the way through and I was really impressed with her easy victory in the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes at York last time. She’s come out of that race in such good form that we decided we might as well have a shot at this because she takes her racing so well and is very versatile. We’re going up in trip but this track will suit and she’s got a very good turn of foot so I can’t see any reason why she shouldn’t go extremely close.
Thank You Next (Pat Dobbs)
I think she improved for the step up to 7 furlongs last time and while this is a rise in grade she is a very classy filly who is more than capable of making her presence felt and she’s got valuable experience on the track which will obviously count for a lot.
2:25 Handicap
Oh This Is Us (Pat Dobbs)
He hasn’t won for about a year but is a course and distance winner and seems to show his best form on sharp tracks like this. On ratings he’s the one they all have to catch and he wasn’t disgraced at all behind the reopposing Magical Wish at Doncaster last time.
Magical Wish (Thore Hammer-Hansen)
He showed a great attitude to win at Doncaster the other day and got put up 2lbs for doing so but with Thore’s 3lbs claim he’s potentially 1lb ‘well in’! This track is no problem and in his current form I think he has a great chance again.
3:35 G2 Celebration Mile
Urban Icon (Pat Dobbs)
I think he was very unlucky in the Unibet Golden Mile last time and, with a clear run, could’ve given the winner something to think about. He deserves to get his head in front because he is extremely consistent and always tries his best. He is a lovely colt who’s come out of his last run in great shape and I’m hopeful he can run another great race.
WINDSOR
12:35 Novice
Dewey Road (Hollie Doyle)
Despite running with the choke out once again he actually ran a very good race and showed real tenacity, so it was unfortunate that he got beaten a nose. He’s a hardy little colt who takes his work well and his form is there for all to see so I’m very hopeful he can finally get his head in front.
Incorrigible (Sam Hitchcott)
She’s a nice homebred daughter of Oasis Dream who has been working well at home and is ready for a run. I expect her to come on for it but she could easily finish thereabouts.
1:05 Handicap
Love Powerful (Silvestre De Sousa)
She tends to show her best form when up with the pace but missed the break at Kempton last time and was always playing catch up, so if Silvestre can break well and get her into a nice rhythm she should go well at a course she really likes.
2:10 Handicap
Always Fearless (Silvestre De Sousa)
We gelded him during the winter and he would’ve badly needed his first run at Doncaster last time so expect plenty of improvement here. We took him out of Goodwood last week because the ground was too fast so the Good to Soft will be right up his street and I think he has a serious chance.
2:40 Listed August Stakes
Floating Artist (Martin Harley)
The form of his Ascot run behind for Fujaira Prince has worked out pretty well and we are going back down in trip but he’s not slow and is still relatively and unexposed. I am concerned if there is any more rain because he’s much better on top of the ground, but he’s a very classy horse and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him. We will probably make plenty of use of him.
3:50 Handicap
Aljalela (Hollie Doyle)
She ran well over a mile at Chepstow on her first run back when she would have really needed it. I think the extra 2 furlongs here, and first run in a handicap, could see her in a better light and while she’s no world beater she’d have a pretty decent chance in this.
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