On Thursday, Salisbury host the Group 3 Dick Poole Fillies Stakes, won last year by subsequent Free Handicap winner Anna Nerium. There is also the unique fixture at Laytown on the same day, where horses race on the beach for what is a brilliant spectacle of horse racing. Saturday is a day for comebacks with Harry Angel making his return following a stalls injury in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, in the Sprint Cup at Haydock (a race in which he won last year). Also, last years star filly and Arc winner, Enable, will be making her belated reappearance in the September Stakes at Kempton.
Trainers
- Aidan O’Brien – After what has probably seemed like an extremely long 6 weeks for the master of Ballydoyle following a virus in the yard, things finally look to be picking up as he got 9 winners last week which included a treble and four-timer at the Curragh on Friday and Saturday respectively.
- Hughie Morrison – Operated at a very healthy 31% strike rate last week, with an across the card treble on Monday. Some big priced runners at Brighton and Windsor on Monday could be worth noting considering his form.
- Andrew Balding – You would have made an incredible ÂŁ61 profit to level stakes on Andrew Balding’s runners in August. With 4 winners and a 70% place strike rate last week, he remains in top form.
Jockeys
- David Probert – Had 6 winners last week including a good win on Duretto in a Listed race at Chester on ITV4 on Saturday which will have given him a confidence boost. Rides a lot for Andrew Balding which helps considering his form.
- Jason Watson – I’ve been a huge advocate of this jockey all season and he certainly hasn’t let me down. 7 winners and a further 4 places last week advertise his qualities and excellent value for his 3lb claim.
- Silvestre De Sousa – 6 wins for the reigning champion last week and he’s been nothing but consistent in recent months. Booked for rides at both Goodwood and Kempton on Tuesday on what will be a busy day/evening for him, with winners likely.
Horses
- Parnassian – Course and distance winner who’s 10lb below his last winning mark, dropping to this class for the first time in handicaps. Declared for the 3.55pm at Windsor on Monday.
- Calculation – Dubawi colt out of the Queen’s Gold Cup winner Estimate. Very green on debut behind Too Darn Hot but started to get the hang of things late on. Can improve in the 3.05pm at Goodwood on Tuesday.
- Prince Eiji – Beautifully bred colt by Dubawi out of dual Group 1 winner Izzi Top, making him a half-brother to Dreamfield and Willie John. Holds a pair of entries this week.
- Stakeholder – Made a promising debut when staying on into fourth at Newmarket, looking as though he’d improve plenty. Holds a pair of Group 1 entries and could run in the 2.40pm at Haydock on Thursday.
