Oh This Is Us
Tomorrows’ racing comes from Ascot, Haydock and Lingfield. Richard has a good team to head to war with in eight runners heading across the three meetings. Haydock is their annual mixed meeting where they hold four flat races and the rest are for the jumps boys. The prize money is very good and they have attracted some nice fields. There has been some rain in the area but whether it is significant enough to change the going we will see.
OH THIS IS US the ever consistent and improving son of Acclamation is coming out today in the Listed Spring Trophy Stakes. ‘He has been in great form this spring. He was unlucky not to win the Lincoln and has run well subsequently winning at Bath. His improvement from last year has been great to watch and this looks the ideal race to step him up out of Handicap Company. He looks nicely in at the weights and I expect a bold bid.’ The other two runners up there are in the three year old handicap, DEVIL’S BRIDGE for Middleham Park Racing and THE GRAPE ESCAPE for John Manley. ‘Devil’s Bridge was desperately in need of his first run and was unlucky not to win first up. He is a horse on the way up and should go close under our apprentice rider Rossa Ryan. The Grape Escape was unlucky not to go closer at Sandown. He didn’t have a lot of room at a crucial stage in the race but he should strip fitter for the run here. The horse of Godolphin’s looks the least exposed and won well at Epsom, so I would say that is the won to beat.’
With just over a month until Royal Ascot, we head to the same venue for Victoria Cup day. GEORGE WILLIAM takes his chance in the feature race of the day having run very well last time out at Newbury. ‘He appears in great form this year, winning at Nottingham on his reappearance and was very unlucky last time at Newbury. He still looks to have a bit in hand and I am hopeful with the right run he can finish very close.’ A two year old by Maxios takes his chance in the 4.35pm ‘He has been working nicely at home, but again I would expect him to come on for the run. He should be sharply away and put himself in a handy position and hopefully finish off nicely.’
Lingfield is the other meeting of the day and Richard has two runners. ‘SHAIYEM ran very well on his reappearance at Newmarket having pulled very hard. He hated the surface last time and back here on turf he should be there to run very well.’ The other runner is TREMENDOUS running in the Fillies Maiden. ‘She needs dropping back to six furlongs but this does look a very hot maiden on paper. She is there to run her race and I would like to see her ridden positively and use her big stride.’