Charlie Hills’ William Hill blog: Hoping Cicero’s is the Gift that keeps on giving

Leading trainer and William Hill ambassador Charlie Hills gives his thoughts on his runners at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting, as well the promising Cicero’s Gift at Goodwood.

Newmarket, Friday

We kick things off on Friday with Mutasaabeq in the Group 2 over a mile (1.50pm). He goes well at this track having won there a couple of times, but the penalty does make his life a bit harder. We’re very happy with him at home, though, and his work has really pleased me. I think his best trip is a mile and I’m looking forward to getting him started off here.

Goodwood, Friday

Over at Goodwood we run Shobiz in the six-furlong handicap (3.10pm). He won this race off the same mark last year, and I’d like to think he’ll go well again. He’s been going nicely at home, so we’re hoping for the best.

I’ve always thought plenty of Cicero’s Gift and he lines up in the conditions race (3.45pm). We had him in the Guineas but I just thought it was a bit early to expose him to that type of company, so we’ve decided to go through the grades. He’s still in the French Derby and that’s very much under consideration but we’ll see how he goes here and then we can decide if that’s realistic or not.

He’s done nothing wrong so far and while Roger Varian’s looks the one to beat, we’re very happy with our lad.

Goodwood, Saturday

We run Harry Magnus in the seven-furlong handicap (1.20pm). I was really pleased with the way he won at Newmarket and this race looked the obvious next port of call.

We’ve also got Maghlaak running in the 1m2f handicap (3.05pm). He was going really well ahead of the Craven Meeting and I was hoping to run him that week, but unfortunately he had a bit of a setback. We had to back off him for a few days, but he’s back in good form now and Dane [O’Neill] came in to ride him during the week. He was very happy with him and we know he goes well at the track. He’s hopefully a horse that’s progressing nicely.

Newmarket, Saturday

The trip might be a touch on the short side for Vaynor in the 1m4f handicap (1.40pm) as he’s shown he gets further but the track should suit him.

I’m looking forward to running Tanmawwy in the Heritage Handicap (2.50pm). Any rain won’t harm his chances and he probably just got a little tired at Newbury last time. He tends to be a touch keen in his races and he was perhaps a little more than usual there given it was his first outing of the season. He’s a horse I’ve always liked and I’d be hopeful he can put up another bold show here.

Both Equilaterial and Equality run in the Palace House (4.00pm). The former has really come into himself in the last couple of weeks and his work has been impressive. He needs to run right up to his best to win this, but that’s certainly not out of the question.

Equality can be very frustrating because we know he’s got all the talent in the world. When he’s on a going day, he can be very good, but unfortunately, it’s quite hard to know which side of the bed he will get out of! He finished last season well, winning at Haydock and the form of his Ascot third has been boosted, so he’s another in the mix.

Galeron takes his chance in the 2000 Guineas (4.40pm). We all know this is a big step up, but he’s a horse with plenty of experience so I don’t think the occasion will get the better of him. He’s drawn well in stall eight and how he goes in this will tell us where we really are with him. Teme Valley have obviously brought into him and there are some very exciting targets further ahead, but we’ll take the Guineas in first and then go from there. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he outran his odds.

Our final runner is Divine Libra in the seven-furlong handicap (5.50pm). This looks a good spot for him, and I’ve been very happy with him since his win at Catterick. The way he has been going at home has delighted me and I’d like to think he’s the one to beat in this.