The weather has played havoc with the racing schedule and meant we only had one runner last week, with soft ground not proving ideal for COMPTON LANE yet he still ran a creditable race to finish second.
While the new week has already started with Chepstow being abandoned due to waterlogging, really frustrating as MIDNIGHT RIDER looked to have a solid chance in one of the sprints. However, we still have three runners at Windsor and all three will appreciate the torrential rain which has turned the ground very soft.
GLORY OF PARIS (5:50) was by far our best two-year-old back in March, showing plenty of speed before a leg injury meant he was sidelined for two months. It is great we have got him back on track and the Super Sprint at Newbury remains his main aim. He is a pretty sharp sort and will improve plenty for this first run and is against some expensive newcomers from highly regarded stables so it will not be easy but we are hopeful for a good run.
SIR RODERIC (6:50) won at Windsor’s opening meeting which was run under similar conditions back in April and although 13lb higher, we are hopeful of a big run. He followed up at Haydock before hitting the front too soon at Salisbury and was a solid second off a two pound lower mark at Leicester when the ground was fast enough. It is a competitive contest but we think he can continue to progress.
HANYTALK (7:20) was runner-up at the opening meeting back in April so he will also handle conditions. Although he has lots of form over sprint distances, he may appreciate a step up in trip in due course but in a relatively weak race for the money, he has each way chances.
We are off to Brighton tomorrow and CAERLEON KATE (5:45) looks to have been found the perfect race to get involved in the concluding amateur handicap. She has always shown some ability at home but hasn’t figured on the race track so far. However, it was a huge step in the right direction when only beaten six lengths in a much more competitive race at Bath in the first time blinkers last time and if building on that – she should be placed at least with Pat one of the most experienced riders in the race.