Urban Icon - runs at Haydock Sunday in the Listed Spring Trophy
NEWMARKET
1:15 Maiden
Burristo (Pat Dobbs)
He’s quite a sharp colt who surprised me a little bit in his last piece of work and he could be coming to himself at the right time so I thought we might as well give him a run. As I said earlier in the week, we are still slightly limited on options for our two-year-olds so it’s a case of getting them out and seeing where we actually stand.
Cooperation (Ryan Moore)
He’s done some very good work and goes quite nicely at home. His sire, Mehmas, who we trained, has made a great start to his stallion career with two of his progeny winning this week and I’d be reasonably hopeful that this colt can continue his dad’s good run of form. I’m not saying he is definite win material but he’s done everything right and is very capable.
1:50 Listed Buckhounds Stakes
Floating Artist (Pat Dobbs)
He’s improved a fair bit over the winter and has been working super but I just hope he settles down as he’s a free sweating horse so Dobbsy, who rides him a lot at him, will be trying his best to keep a lid on him for as long as possible. However, he is a colt with a lot of ability who has been given a nice break since his last run and I am sure we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
3:35 G1 1000 Guineas
Cloak Of Spirits (Andrea Atzeni)
I think the fact we are running the 1000 Guineas a month later than normal is massively in her favour because she wasn’t quite right in her coat in the very early spring and wasn’t working that well at all but this past month she has absolutely bloomed and we’ve taken her away a couple of time as she only tends to do enough in her work at home. She ran a super race in the Rockfel and I don’t think it’s a vintage Guineas this year, therefore I think she has an outstanding chance, I really do.
4:10 Handicap
Kuwait Currency (Pat Dobbs)
He’s arguably a little bit better on the All Weather but still has some decent form to his name and, on ratings, he’s the one they’ve all got to catch. We’ve freshened him up since his last run in February and I’ve been pleased with his work.
Ouzo (Ryan Moore)
I’m not quite sure he’s entirely that well treated off 91 so there isn’t much wiggle room but he’s extremely consistent and has a great attitude. Any cut in the ground would help his chances and he’s there to give it his best shot.
4:45 Novice Stakes
Keep It Brief (Andrea Atzeni)
He’s very speedily bred but has taken plenty to time so we’ve been patient and hopefully it will pay off but he’ll have to put up a good performance to beat those that already have experience. That said, his homework has been good and I’ll be particularly interested to see what he can do on the track.
6:30 Handicap
Wedding Date (Pat Dobbs)
She’s a tough little filly who has plenty of speed and a great attitude. This, however, is a very competitive Handicap and I do think she will come on massively for the run.
HAYDOCK
2:40 G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes
Walkinthesand (Sean Levey)
We’ve always thought a great deal of him but he’s just been so unlucky and things haven’t gone his way so he deserves to win a decent prize. 1m2f on decent ground is ideal and he’s got that here, although this is a very good race with the likes of Sangarius and Elarqam to beat, but he’s been away to Kempton and worked very well, as he always does. He has to (arguably) produce a career best but he has a lot of ability and has every chance of running into a place.
3:15 Listed Spring Trophy
Urban Icon (Sean Levey)
I’ve got plenty of time for this colt and like him a lot. His effort in the Jersey at Royal Ascot was excellent and he got beaten in a tactical race at Newmarket thereafter but he’s always maintained a very good level of form and the form of his Wolverhampton win last time has worked out very well with Marie’s Diamond (who was third) scoring in a Listed race on Friday. His work has been very good and I rate his chances quite highly.
Yafta (Dane O’Neill)
He picked up a small issue after running in the G1 Diamond Jubilee which kept him off the track for the rest of the season which was a shame because he was progressing nicely. His form suggests he’s better over shorter but I think he stays this trip because he’s strengthened up nicely over the winter and is still unexposed for a five-year-old. He’s entitled to come on for the run but I’ve had him ready to go for a while so expect him to put up a decent show.
Fox Champion (Danny Tudhope)
He started off last season very well and then probably struggled in better company thereafter, while the ground was completely against him on his final run at Newmarket in November so he should appreciate the step back down in grade. He’s in good form and goes well fresh but I think we have better chances with the other two.
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