It is a busy Sunday for the yard with four runners at Salisbury’s opening meeting of the season and we have some good chances at a track where we love to get winners.
MAWDE – 2:00
A compact filly from a family we know well, her dam is a half-sister to Roi De Vitesse who was an extremely smart two-year-old for the yard and went on to have plenty of success in the Middle East. She has showed plenty of speed at home but has had a few niggling problems that have set her back and like all of our two-year-olds will benefit plenty for the experience.
CHAMPAGNE CHAMP – 4:15
Champ has been busy having run well over hurdles through the winter, successful at Chepstow in February and we were hoping for further success back on the flat. He hasn’t been disgraced in competitive handicaps at Kempton and Newbury but hasn’t really been suited by how the races have been run. The handicapper has given him a chance now down to 84, having won off 86 over course and distance back in October 2016 and was as high as 93 last year and he will also love the heavy ground.
DADDIES GIRL – 4:45
Daddies Girl had a fantastic two-year-old campaign, winning the fillies conditions race here a year ago before winning two handicaps in the autumn. We then tried for black type and she came agonisingly close when fourth at Newbury. She was outclassed in the Fred Darling on her reappearance, but the run will have put her spot on for today. Unfortunately, the race has been reduced from seven to six furlongs due to the ground but at least the recent rain will put stamina at a premium. Her mark of 91 is plenty high enough (10lb higher than her most recent win) so she will need Jason Watson’s 5lb claim but this may represent a good opportunity.
SIR RODERIC – 5:20
Having won five times at three, Sir Roderic struggled in the top handicaps last year and has lost his confidence. However, the handicapper has given him a real chance, now down to 76 having been placed off 90 back in August. He shaped better than the bare result last time at Kempton, where it was hard to come from behind and he is easily the best horse down to Class 5 level. Ten furlongs is a question mark, but he was not disgraced over course and distance two years ago and hopefully we can get him back on track.