Crowley calls it: “Yafta won’t be far away in the Hackwood”

2.25 – Quloob

He’s a nice stayer who’s just had the one run this year. Hopefully that has put him right. He was very progressive last year and he stays really well.

This trip won’t be a problem for him and he seems to like quick ground. He’s in good order at home.

The boss also has Amoghared in the race but I couldn’t do the weight on him as he’s only carrying 8 stone 6 pounds. He has just as good a chance as Quloob. He ran a very nice race at Royal Ascot in the Queens Vase. The weight has made the choice for me.

I’ve ridden a few of these before. I rode Amazing Red in the Northumberland Plate last time and he just didn’t like the surface at Newcastle.

So you can put a line through that. I rode Cleonte at Royal Ascot and he ran a nice race bit just found the trip a bit far for him in the Ascot Stakes. I think Saunter who I know well would like a bit of cut in the ground.

3.00 – Yafta

Yafta is a good horse and ultra-consistent. He hasn’t finished out of the first two and ran really well up at Newcastle last time out.

I’m sure he’ll be back on the scene again this time. He’s a very solid contender. I don’t think he’ll be far away.  

Charlie Hills horse Equatorial disappointed last time, so I’d be taking on him. I won the Wokingham on Bacchus and I thought he deserved to be favourite.

It was a fantastic effort by him and I think he’s a Group horse. I’d love to get back on him at some stage later in the season.

4.10 – Conspiritor

I don’t know much about this horse but I know Charlie has a nice bunch of two year olds. He’s owned by Derek James, and has a good pedigree being by Charm Spirit. We’ll have to see how we go.

4.45 – Melodies

She’s a really nice filly. I rode her at Nottingham but the ground was too soft. She wants fast ground and she won well last time. She was a little bit keen that day.

I think she has a great chance. She has Homeopathic to beat. She has no weight on her back, she has a lovely pedigree and she’s a lovely, big filly. I’ll be disappointed if she didn’t nearly win.

5.20 – Mankib

I haven’t ridden this horse in work. He’s a very interesting horse having come over from France to William Haggis.

He’s only had the one run so far and was disappointing. He’s won on good ground in France. It’s a bit of a fact finding mission. I hope he runs a nice race.

Lingfield

7.45 – Barend Boy

It’s nice to get on this horse for Hugo Palmer. He disappointed first time out in a Nursery. He would have a good chance.

Hugo’s horses are always fit and hardy, so I expect him to have an each way chance.

Jim