Ascot, Saturday
Gowel Road runs in the opening novice handicap at Ascot (1.30pm). He’s slightly out of the weights because of Goshen running. Goshen is a good horse, but this is his first time over fences, while ours has had a run over them already. He’s been fine since running at Perth and hopefully he can go well.
We’ve two runners in the London Gold Cup (3.15pm). It’s a valuable handicap so we’re having a go.
The softer it gets the more it will help Good Boy Bobby. He’s at the top of the weights but I very much hope he’s capable off this sort of mark. He won at Wetherby off a similar mark last season. Shame the race isn’t at Wetherby, but never mind!
Soft ground shouldn’t harm Poppa Poutine’s chances either. He’s only a young horse and went well at Perth last month. Let’s hope he carries on improving this season.
Carlisle, Sunday
Beauport runs in the Colin Parker Memorial (2.30pm) at Carlisle.
This is his first start over fences and his schooling has gone well. Three miles will be his distance in the end but he’ll be fine over this trip here. It’s a stiff two-and-a-half around Carlisle, with a good uphill finish and the softer it is, the better for him. He’s certainly weighted to run really well.
We’re starting Wholestone off this season over two-and-a-half miles (3.05pm). He is another that wants the ground as soft as possible. He has a very good record when fresh, but probably wants three miles in the soft rather than two-and-a-half. He’ll be staying on well at the end.
Benny Silver is set to run in the bumper (4.13pm). He so nearly won on debut at Ffos Las and we’re hoping he’ll go one better this time.