Another couple of major festivals have come and gone with Galway and Goodwood last week. A calmer few days on the horizon but we have the unique Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday where four teams comprising of three jockeys compete in the one-off event. The Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock and Sweet Solera at Newmarket are feature Group 3’s on Saturday as well, adding to the coverage on ITV4.
Trainers
- William Haggas – Glorious Goodwood was exactly that for the Newmarket handler as he landed doubles there on Tuesday and Friday which added to the other 4 winners he had elsewhere in the surrounding days. A very healthy 25% strike rate in the past couple of weeks shows he’s a man in form.
- Sir Michael Stoute – Had 4 winners on Friday which he added to with another on Saturday in a strong end to the week. Interestingly has just 1 runner at Nottingham on Tuesday where he has a 20% strike rate in the last 5 years.
- Archie Watson – Notched up 5 winners from just 15 runners last week plus another 5 were placed. Has a number of entries for this week and only has 1 runner at Tuesday at Ripon.
Jockeys
- Silvestre De Sousa – He went to Pontefract on the 29th July for 4 rides, all of which won and followed that up with 6 winners last week. Has some good chances at Ripon on Monday.
- Jim Crowley – 8 winners last week and had 8 rides at Chelmsford on Saturday, 5 of them won and he was placed on the other 3. On the crest of a wave now and is worth keeping on side.
- Andrea Atzeni – Another who had 8 winners last week, confidence will be sky high after Saturday where he rode 4 winners at Doncaster plus a nose and head seconds from his 6 rides.
- Edward Greatrex – 16 rides yielded 6 winners last week and he’s getting opportunities for a number of different trainers now. Goes to Windsor for 1 ride on Monday.
Horses
- Encrypted – Good winner at York in June but ran too bad to be true at Newmarket next time out and is still open to improvement. Runs in the 6.30pm at Windsor on Monday.
- Podemos – Second on debut in a good race at Kempton and drew 10-lengths clear of the rest with 103-rated Almoghared on penultimate start. No show on handicap debut but looks on a good mark. Entered in the 3.30pm at Chepstow on Wednesday.
- Artarmon – Has put in two impressive displays when wearing a visor the last twice and is clearly improving. He stays very well and shouldn’t have a problem getting 2 miles, entered in the 4.10pm at Musselburgh on Friday.
