Rosallion
NEWMARKET
1:50 G2 Royal Lodge
Son (Pat Dobbs)
There is no doubt this is a big step up, and I will be the first to admit he has plenty to find on form, but he’s nevertheless a very smart colt and I liked the way he stayed on over this trip last time. He should be suited by the stiff track and won on Good to Firm as well which is also in his favour.
4:50
Liv My Life (Pat Dobbs)
She won nicely at Goodwood last time when shaping as though the step up to seven furlongs could bring out even more improvement; but it would need to because the Handicapper has put her up another 4lbs. The ground will be perfect and she’s very tough and consistent so should go well.
HAYDOCK
3:15
Royal Dress (Alec Voikhansky)
I don’t think she was in love with the ground at York last time, because she really likes to get her toe in, so the soft conditions at Haydock will see her in a much better light and I’m not concerned about the drop back to six. Alec’s claim brings her weight down a bit and she’s had a nice little break since her last run.
LONGCHAMP
4:08 G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein
Witch Hunter (Jamie Spencer)
He’s been a revelation this year, winning at Royal Ascot and then scoring impressively in the Hungerford last time. This is obviously a very competitive race, but Jamie knows him well and his good turn of foot will hopefully be put to good use because, like most races in France, they go very steady early on. He’s in great shape at home, has travelled over well and has a solid chance in his current form.
SUNDAY – LONGCHAMP
1:15 G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere
Rosallion (Sean Levey)
He was unfortunately beaten at odds on in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time but they had watered over night and the ground was plenty loose enough, which he didn’t like, however, it's descrived as Good at Longchamp, and there's been no rain all week, so conditions should be ideal. He is a colt we have always liked and it’s a shame the bubble was burst last time, but I’m still confident he will end up a Group One horse.
3:05 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
No runner for us in the Arc but it is always a great spectacle and one I shall certainly enjoy watching. It’s a relatively small field, compared to previous years, but that doesn’t make picking the winner any easier. That said, I’ve been extremely impressed with Hukum and Owen Burrows has done a great job bringing him back from injury. He was good in the King George last time and no horse has ever carried the Shadwell silks to victory in this race so it would be nice for that to change on Sunday.
5:00 G1 Prix de La Foret
Shouldvebeenaring (Sean Levey)
I was absolutely delighted with his run in the Sprint Cup last time, and in another couple of yards he might have won, but it still showed what a top-class colt he is, and he deserves to win a very big one. He’s won over this trip before, so I’ve got no concerns on that score, and he has every chance.
Happy Romance (Tom Marquand)
She ran a great race in the Portland, on what was her first start in a Handicap, but she’s back up in grade here and having another go at seven furlongs. Whatever happens here, she owes us all absolutely nothing and hopefully she can put up another bold show. She will make into a lovely broodmare next year, anyway.
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