Our ambassador looks forward to an exciting ride at Ascot on Friday and two more chances at Lingfield Park on Saturday, all live on Sky Sports Racing.
Dagger takes the plunge at Lingfield
Switching from the All-Weather to turf for the first time can prove successful for Dagger Strike in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (3.50) at Lingfield Park on Saturday.
Archie Watson’s gelded son of Starman, who runs in Victorious Forever’s Bradsell silks, enjoyed a productive campaign on the synthetic surfaces, winning for me at Newcastle in December before finding only one too good in his next three starts.
His latest outing over seven furlongs at Southwell at the end of March was disappointing but I’m hoping he can show he’s better than that from a reasonable draw on fast ground that should be to his liking.
I may have my husband Tom [Marquand] to beat on William Haggas’ gelding Hardy’s Hero, who only just missed out at Newmarket on his reappearance.
Later, I renew my acquaintance with Peter Crate’s sprinter Harry Brown in the William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Handicap (4.25). I won on him at Chelmsford City back in 2022 and I’m hoping he can show up well again off such a light weight.
Godolphin hold the aces in Classic Trials
Godolphin have a strong hand in the Classic rehearsals at Lingfield on Saturday with Maho Bay looking well placed to confirm the promise of his novice win at the Craven Meeting in the Listed William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (1.58).
Charlie Appleby’s son of Dubawi never saw a rival over a mile and a quarter on the Rowley Mile and looked well enough balanced to handle this track, with the step up in trip in his favour.
Personally, I’d love to see Tom win on William Haggas’ Sea The Stars colt Maltese Cross, who also made a winning reappearance in Craven week. He’s open to plenty of improvement now he’s faced with a test of stamina, so I’m hopeful.
Symphony looks strong in Oaks Trial
Like Maho Bay, Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten Romantic Symphony looks set to go off a short-priced favourite for the Listed William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes (1.28) at Lingfield and could just prove a class above her four rivals.
A full sister to Group One stars Yibir and Wild Illusion, Godolphin’s daughter of Dubawi added to her promising debut at Newmarket in September when she defied a penalty in a Kempton Park novice last month.
It’s an open renewal, though, with Aidan O’Brien pitching both Cameo and Bloom into the trial. The former appeared to be crying out for this longer trip on her return to action over a mile in Group Three Company at the Curragh.
Watch every race from Lingfield Park live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) on Saturday May 9.
Minister in charge in Victoria Cup
Back over at Ascot, Wathnan Racing’s Defence Minister catches my eye in the Carey Group Victoria Cup Handicap (2.20) on Saturday.
Gelded before his winning comeback on the Polytrack at Kempton Park, Hamad Al Jehani’s four-year-old hit the line hard that day and has a strong chance of reversing Sandown form with likely favourite Mudbir.
He was only half a length behind John and Thady Gosden’s colt at the Esher track last July but is 2lbs better off for this rematch on a track I think he’ll enjoy. He was down the field in last year’s Britannia but was on the wrong side of the draw.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s got her team in top form so I can see Great Acclaim going well in a first-time visor with the benefit of two runs, including that close third in a hot handicap at Haydock last time.
Delighted to be on O’Brien filly in French Guineas
It’s great to get the call from Ballydoyle to ride Aidan O’Brien’s filly Venosa in the French 1000 Guineas on Sunday, the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (3.25) at ParisLongchamp. This daughter of US stallion Gun Runner is still a maiden after five starts but must have been working well in the mornings for Aidan to run her in a Classic on her first outing of the year.
The unbeaten Diamond Necklace, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, will obviously carry their main hopes after winning the Group One Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac over course and distance last season but I’m looking forward to an exciting experience.
I’m also back on board the reliable Ponntos in the Group Three Prix de Saint-Georges (11.40) – a tough sprinter I finished fourth on in last season’s Group One Prix de l’Abbaye. He tuned up for this with a Listed win at the San Siro in Italy last month after taking a similar race in the Middle East in February so should go well.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft
