Kirby Calls It: All Weather Champion previews Weekend rides

3:40 Lingfield

In the final race of the day I’m on Yojojo for Gay Kelleway. She hasn’t been in the shake-up in a while but hopefully Lingfield will bring back a little bit of spark in her. She’s a free going sort and likes to get on with it so hopefully the track will suit her. She won six times last year so has plenty of ability and I’d be hoping she can show some of that sparkle today.

Saturday

6:15 Wolverhampton

I’m at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening and have five rides. I ride Smokethatthunders in the opener for James Unett. He’s a small trainer but a good trainer. The horse is very consistent. They upped him in trip last time out and he was second. He didn’t have the clearest of runs over two furlongs out. He was third before that from a bad draw but has drawn trap five this time so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on and hopefully he runs his race.

6:45 Wolverhampton

I’m aboard Portamento for Mr Appleby. He’s a nice horse, he very compact, he’s got loads of speed, got gear change and doesn’t lack anything in class. He’s ran some really good races and he’ll definitely be in the shake-up. He would have to be my best chance of a winner on Saturday evening.

7:45 Wolverhampton

I ride Lacey in this race. I rode him last time when he was second from a wide draw. He ran well that night, stays well and to be fair every time he runs his race. He’s at the top of his handicap and if he doesn’t meet an improver, he’ll definitely be in the shake-up. He runs off the same mark as his last run and I think he goes there with a good chance.

8:15 Wolverhampton

I won on Personal Opinion last Saturday evening and I’m hopeful he can win again. It’s probably a stronger race than last week, the Dandy Nichols horse Street Artist is in good form, and is probably the one we have to beat. My horse is going up in trip but is 3 from 3 at the track and stays well. Last weekend’s run was his first since August so I think he’ll improve a little bit. If he switches off I can definitely see him being in the shake-up.

8:45 Wolverhampton

I’m on Ad Vitamn for Suzzanne France. It’s my first ride for the trainer but I use to ride against her on the track, she was a jockey, so it’s nice to ride for her now as a trainer but I’m a bit in the dark about this one. He won at Redcar in early November and was second on a couple of occasions. His last run was at Wolves, when he was down the field but hopefully he can improve on that. He’s won over the course and has a good draw in trap two.

9:15 Wolverhampton

My final ride of the night is for James Tate on Urban Castle. It looks a tricky little maiden. I rode the winner of the race in which he was fourth in. A horse called Razor Wind for Mr Appleby. He’s an okay sort of horse. It rode like a nice maiden. I got a nice feel off my horse. It’s only his second time out, obviously the trainer is still learning, I’ll be still learning and also the horse will be learning. Hopefully the horse will improve and be in the shake-up tomorrow evening. Stuart Williams has one in it that was second last time out and he should improve so that’s the one will probably have to beat but by the same token I think my horse has a chance.