Luke Morris reviews Ebor Festival and talks his Newmarket Saturday rides

IT was great to get on the board at York last Saturday with Scarlet Dragon, who really impressed me with his win in the 1m 2½f handicap.

He looked a nice horse beforehand, which is why I’d been keen on his chances in my blog last week, but when I was riding him he felt like a proper decent middle distance horse.

I’m sure he can go on to win another big handicap somewhere as he’s definitely still improving and is straightforward as well.

The standout performance of the week at York though was Mecca’s Angel winning a second Nunthorpe Stakes.

She proved herself again on a slightly quicker surface which people wondered whether she’d go on. She’s a top class mare and wherever she goes next, which I hope is the Abbaye, she’ll be the one to beat.

Having grabbed a treble last Saturday, I’m hoping for a winner or two this weekend as well.

1.50 Newmarket – Mr Pocket
He didn’t really handle the track last time and found five furlongs too sharp as well. It was a case of us thinking it was an easy opportunity to get a win with him and it didn’t work out. Back to six furlongs and back on the turf will suit him better and a much better run should be expected from him.

2.25 Newmarket – Second Nature
The handicapper hasn’t really taken any chances with him first time up. It’s a small field but a competitive one. Rodaini has done nothing wrong while Clef won a good nursery at the course a couple of weeks ago. I’d like to think we won’t be too far away at the end of the race.