The AW Champion Jockey gives you the inside track on his Saturday rides and looks ahead to the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster
It is an exciting day at Doncaster with the turf season starting and there are plenty of good horses in action in the Lincoln and the other races. While I’m elsewhere, I’m looking forward to seeing Stormy Antarctic running in the Listed Doncaster Mile (3.00). He won the Craven at Newmarket last year and it looks like he’ll have some ease in the ground at Doncaster and that will suit him.
He’s the type that could well step forward and have a big year this year I think. His trainer Ed Walker has been in excellent form since moving to Lambourn.
Whatever happens at Doncaster, it’s unlikely something will be as impressive as Arrogate was in the Dubai World Cup last weekend. He’s an absolute monster and has probably got the lung capacity that’s double that of most horses. To overcome what happened in the race and win means he’s got to be a true champion.
2.05 Kempton – Absolute Blast
She ran a blinder in the Winter Derby. She looks a type to idle when she gets to the front and I’ll be bearing that in mind during the race. She’s a thoroughly progressive filly and wasn’t stopping at the end of the race last time. I think she should be bang there at the end of the race.
2.40 Kempton – Memories Galore
He came back with a slight issue after his last run which is why he’s not run since January. He’s got good form around Kempton and is effective at both 5f and 6f. A strongly-run race should suit him and he’s another that shouldn’t be too far away granted luck in-running.
3.15 Kempton – General Hazard
The draw in 15 is far from ideal. I’ll have to drop him in and ride him for a bit of luck and to get the trip. He still looks progressive to me and the track will suit, but it’s how much the draw hampers him. I’d say Big Country is the one to beat. I won on him last time and he looks a really nice horse.
5.45 Chelmsford – Lord Of The Storm
He’s probably just in the grip of the handicapper at the moment. He’s a solid type off his mark and he can run well, but he’d be vulnerable to anything that has something in hand.
6.15 Chelmsford – Zoffany Bay
He was an intended runner at Kempton but refused to go into the stalls. That was a surprise as he’s generally quite a placid horse. However, he’s been good since and he’s been working nicely at home. I’d like to think he can run a good race but he’ll definitely improve for the run.
6.45 Chelmsford – Dream Serenade
She tries hard and generally always runs her race. She’s limited, but she does always puts everything into her races and that always gives her a chance of being in the mix.
7.15 Chelmsford – Secret Asset
He’s nicely drawn in stall two and I won on him off a higher mark in the summer. If he came back to that form he’d have a chance but he needs to show a bit more that he has been doing.
7.45 Chelmsford – Miss Mirabeau
I was a bit disappointed with her last time. She didn’t travel as well as I thought she would or come on as much as I expected from her debut. She’s up in trip again to try get her to travel, but there looks to be some good types in there.
8.45 Chelmsford – Ghost Train
He’s a bit of a tricky character but when he’s on a going day he’s more than capable. His last couple of starts haven’t been that encouraging in terms of application and he’ll need to improve his attitude to be in with a chance in this.
