FROM LINGFIELD TO ASCOT: I’m going to start on the flat today with Lingfield on this afternoon. There’s also some great jump racing tomorrow and a Fast-Track Qualifier for the All Weather Championships.
At 1.25 today, John Gosden runs Muaither in the Maiden. He ran very green last time out over course and distance and I would expect him to improve considerably for that run. I think he should be up to winning a race like this.
A little later on the same card, Boxing Shadows runs at 4.10. He finished second a couple of runs back after a long break and then subsequently went on to win last time, over course a distance. That was just last week so he escapes a penalty and runs again today off a mark of 60 in a 0-60 Handicap. He’s also got a Harry Burns taking 7lbs off so that will also be a big help.
Tomorrow at 2.55, there’s an interesting Fast Track Qualifier for the All Weather Championships. It’s a relatively small field with just seven runners over just short of two miles. The one I like here is Pinzolo for Charlie Appleby. He hasn’t run for 263 days but I always say that Lingfield is the ideal place to start back after a break as it’s a fairly easy track. He’s also got the benefit of having Adam Kirby on board and he always rides really well there, especially from the front. I doubt he’s going for the scenery as the Godolphin team will, no doubt, be keen to have him qualified for the Final and I think he’ll go close.
UN DE SCEAUX HIGHLIGHTS THE JUMPS ACTION
The Clarence House Chase at Ascot is the big race of the day and I can’t wait to see Un De Sceaux running again. There isn’t much to take him on here apart from the fences! I suppose, if he didn’t get around it would be nice to see Sire De Grugy winning but it’s hard to see it happening. Un De Sceaux is an incredible horse. There doesn’t seem to be any end to his ability and he jumps for fun. I’m looking forward to watching him tomorrow.
Another one that I’m looking forward to seeing is Faugheen. It will be interesting to see how he gets on in Leopardstown on Sunday in the Irish Champion Hurdle. He’s going up again Nichols Canyon again and it should be a fascinating race. He’s still the horse they all have to beat but he’ll surely get a good race from his stable companion on Sunday.
I was looking forward to watching Peace And Co as I was hoping he’d redeem himself after pulling too hard in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December. Nicky Henderson said this morning that there’s nothing wrong with him but he’s just not 100% for some reason. Hopefully he’ll come back to full health in time for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
ROCKET RONNIE SHOWS HIS CLASS ONCE AGAIN
I was at the Snooker Final last Sunday and it was great to see Ronnie O’Sullivan winning again. He’s an incredible player, he’s so quick around the table. He was speaking before about getting himself into the right mindset for a game and when he’s really in the zone, he says that he sees the pockets being bigger than they actually are! He says that he just can’t miss! When he’s in that zone, he’s really incredible to watch, he’s a bit like the equivalent of Frankel if he was a Racehorse!
It’s nice to see him winning again because he’s such a good character and Snooker needs him to be doing well. People respond to someone with a good personality like he has, a little like Tyson Fury. It’s not always good news about them but they are great personalities to have in sport and they’re needed.
INDIA TRIP FOR WORLDWIDE RACING CONFERENCE
I’m travelling to India tomorrow to take part in the Worldwide Racing Conference. Basically, representatives from all the Racing federations come together to talk about what worked for them, what didn’t work, how they can improve and so on and I’ve been invited to be part of the panel that are speaking about the media and how they have helped with Racing.
This will be a really good experience and it’s one that I’m really looking forward to. It will be nice to be on a proper holiday for a change as well!
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