David Probert Saturday rides blog: 'I am expecting a good run'

After a busy few days at Chester, including five rides on Friday, Coral ambassador David Probert shares his latest blog ahead of Saturday's Ascot meet.

Hugo Palmer’s two-year-olds have started the season well. He had a winner at Chester on Thursday. This is a nicely bred Too Darn Hot filly. I am sure he has her in good order ahead of her debut, and I am expecting a good run.

This filly was with Jim Bolger in Ireland where she had some good three-year-old form. She is now with Eve Johnson Houghton, and this will be her first run for her new yard. Hopefully, a switch in stables has helped freshen her up. This is a small field, and it looks to be a mark she can work with. 

I am excited to get back on board Metal Merchant. Jack Channon tells me he is in better form going into this race than he was before his run at Newbury last month in the Spring Cup. He is a strong travelling horse, and he has run well at Ascot before. The Victoria Cup is always a competitive contest, but we are one of the runners with a good shot of winning the race.

He had some good form in the Racing League last year. He made his seasonal reappearance at Haydock just a couple of weeks ago, coming home fourth of seven runners. I think he should step up on that run now the cobwebs have been shaken off.