Hollie Doyle previews her book of rides at York on Friday and her chances at Newbury for Lockinge Day on Saturday, and has had her say on the best of the action on both days.
Watson filly ready to take step up in Class
Niewiadoma has been one of Archie Watson’s stand-out juveniles so far and deserves to take her chance in the Listed Design Tonic Out Of This World Spaces At The Races EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes (3.30pm) at York on Friday.
This lovely daughter of Cotai Glory only wants to please and is thriving after her debut win for me at Thirsk last month when she showed bundles of natural talent.
She takes on some real speedsters who are just as fast as her so it’s a big ask but we’re satisfied that she’s ready for it. The low draws have been prevailing in sprints this week but I’m happy enough with stall nine as there are only 10 fillies in the race.
Margot out to answer York call
I’m looking forward to linking up with talented young Yorkshire trainer Gemma Tutty in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (4.40pm) at York.
I ride her improving ex-Irish Blue Point filly Call Margot who, despite stepping up in class, has been found a good opportunity to make her mark on her British turf debut off such a low weight.
She arrives on the back of an impressive win over the minimum distance on the Tapeta at Southwell last month when she won with a bit in hand so a six-pound rise might not be enough to hold her back from a good middle draw.
Moon needs to rediscover last year’s promise
I won on Moon Beginnings on his racecourse debut at Chester in September and I’m re-united with Dave Loughnane’s gelding in the Yorkshire Equine Practice Handicap (1.45pm) at York.
He showed huge promise that day and travelled so strongly that he went round again! Unfortunately, he didn’t build on that in a few runs on the All-Weather and was well beaten at Nottingham on his return to turf last month.
A big, imposing son of Saxon Warrior, he has a lot of work to do to get back to the levels required on The Knavesmire but a three-pound drop in the handicap could make his life easier.
More to come from Gold Cup contender
The Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap (3.45pm) at Newbury on Saturday often produces a classy horse and I’m hoping Juddmonte’s well-bred colt Sintra will fit that bill.
Andrew Balding’s three-year-old son of Kingman made an exciting handicap debut at Ascot last weekend, beating favourite Waterford Castle convincingly over the same mile and a quarter trip.
With more in his locker, this looks a tailor-made opportunity to show his ability against better class horses off bottom weight of just 8st 2lbs.
Don’t underestimate old legend Albasheer
Aricie Watson’s Albasheer is an old legend who is more than capable of winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (4.20pm) at Newbury.
He was back to his best with a solid second to Wathnan horse Evening Saigon in a warm handicap on the All-Weather at Newcastle a month ago and gets to return to the grass off an unchanged rating of 95. That leaves him four-pounds below his last winning mark at Ascot in 2024.
He’s notoriously quirky so it all depends on what mood he turns up in, but he’s proven in races like this and is ground versatile, so let’s wait and see what he produces.
Beckett runner looks well treated
Ralph Beckett’s team is in good form which bodes well for the chances of Man Of La Mancha in the one-mile Boyle Sports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap (5.00pm) at Newbury.
I thought this well-bred son of Lope De Vega ran a really nice race on his return from a break over the same trip at Newmarket two weeks ago off an unchanged mark of 89.
This deep handicap demands more as he’s taking on triple digit performers, but he’s entitled to come on for that first run since September and looks well treated.
Irish Group Three target for Watson filly
I’m flying to Ireland on Sunday to ride Archie Wastson’s Vollering in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies’ Sprint Stakes at Naas (4.26pm).
It’s a hot race with Paddy Twomey’s Listed winner Velozee and Aidan O’Brien’s Victorious among her likely opponents but our Redcar novice winner has the right credentials to take her chance in Pattern company.
Zeus to come of age in Lockinge
I’ve made no secret of my admiration for Karl Burke’s colt Zeus Olympios who can come of age at his first attempt at Group One level in the Boyle Sports Lockinge Stakes (2.35pm) at Newbury on Saturday.
A big horse, he is entitled to sharpen up for his comeback third in the Bet365 Mile behind Opera Ballo and Field Of Gold and deserves to be among the market principles.
John and Thady Gosden’s Damysus is an obvious danger after winning the Group Three Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket on his re-appearance but that wasn’t the strongest of renewals so he’ll need to dig deeper this time.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
