We start off with a relatively standard week in terms of the racing before Hamilton host their best race of the season with the Listed Glasgow Stakes on Friday night. The weekend brings an excellent mixture of both flat and jumps action with the Irish Oaks at the Curragh, Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury and the Summer Plate over fences at Market Rasen.
Trainers
- Charlie Appleby – Had an excellent time at Newmarket’s July Festival claiming 6 winners there and an additional one at Ascot contributed to a 4-timer on Saturday. Extremely powerful trainer and interesting to see who he runs in the Irish Oaks.
- Andrew Balding – Operated at a very healthy 25% strike rate last week and has a decent number of entries in the near future, including just 1 at Wolverhampton on Monday where he has a 33% strike rate this season.
- Ralph Beckett – Some nice winners over the past 7 days including an impressive debutant at Newmarket called Antonia De Vega who looks one to watch. Loads of entries to watch out for and does very well with fillies.
Jockeys
- Oisin Murphy – Entered the winners’ enclosure no less than 10 times in the past week and is a supreme talent who rides for a vast number of trainers.
- Franny Norton – On fire towards the back end of last week with a treble on Wednesday and doubles on Thursday and Friday. Rides a lot for Mark Johnston but worth noting when he rides for others as he’s very successful when doing so.
- David Probert – Going really well at present the 7 winners and a further 7 places last week, has a good relationship with the in-form Andrew Balding.
Horses
- Fakhoor – Consistent for Owen Burrows and gained his first success on handicap debut last time when upped to 7f, beating a subsequent winner. Runs in the 4.20pm at Chelmsford on Tuesday.
- Davy’s Dilemma – Progressive stayer whose close effort on reappearance is working out well. Dropped 2lbs for 5th in Northumberland Vase and drops in class for the 3.30pm at Hamilton on Thursday.
- Al Jellaby – Boasts a good level of form and rallied strongly to just be denied over a mile last time out, looks as though step up to 1m2f will be ideal in the 4.00pm at Nottingham on Friday.
- Sabre – Close second in a pair of Listed races following easy debut win, including Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. Entered in the Rose Bowl at Newbury on Friday, exciting prospect.
- Magic Lily – Beautifully bred daughter of New Approach who was close 3rd in the Fillies Mile on her second start, has suffered a setback but was always going to be better over further. Fascinating contender if running in the Irish Oaks on Saturday.
