I think this is a race we can win with Kokinelli, as long as she settles like she did last time at Southwell. She really responded to the step up in trip in that race, and she is versatile on any ground. She ran well on slowish ground at Chester a couple of times. The six runners in this race look evenly matched. But I imagine she'll be the favourite, and it is a good chance to successfully follow up.
Galileo Blue is making his debut at Catterick. He seems to have a good attitude. He probably would have benefited from another couple of weeks before making his debut, but his owners told me last week that they were on holiday from the 20th of October to the 4th of November. I was also keen to run him before the ground became bottomless. He might just be making his debut a week or 10 days sooner than ideal. But that said, he's worked nicely at home, and he just might be a bit green.
Ascot 12.55 – Ardisia & Watcha Snoop
Ardisia has had the most wonderful year. He's answered every call, and there are not many two-year-olds who win five times in a season or win the prize money he has. He's been an absolute star for us this season. He's won on firm ground and soft ground. We feel we have to have a shot at this race.
Watcha Snoop has won over this course and distance. He then boiled over at Newbury last time. He is a reformed character now he has been gelded. I am happy with everything he has done at home, and I am not ruling out a big run from him.
Wolverhampton 6.00 – Condotti
Condotti has not been entirely on our side. We are having another go on the all-weather to see if we can get some improvement out of him. He has only featured once before on this surface. He has bottom weight here, but he will need to improve.
Wolverhampton 6.30 – Popeye Doyle
Popeye Doyle has been crying out for a step up in trip, and I blame myself last time for thinking I had a little bit more room over a mile before we went up in distance. He has shot up the ratings, but I still think he is off a mark he can work with. It is an open-looking contest, and one he should have a good chance in.
Wolverhampton 8.00 – Maldevious
Maldevious has had lots of little hold ups, without ever having anything seriously wrong with her, which has been very frustrating. I expect she will need this run. She's in the horses and trainers’ sale, and no one's going to buy a horse that hasn't run for a year, so if she can run and trot up sound, then at least she can advertise herself to her new home. We were a bit frustrated with her last year, but I do still think she will win races.
Wolverhampton 8.30 – Little Saver
I felt Little Saver would stay over 2m, hence why he started over the trip at Chester, but he didn’t quite get home. We are dropping back to 1m4f again, and he has some solid form over this distance. The handicapper has helped us out a little by dropping down 4lb to a mark of 69. I could see him running well.
