Who To Watch – Week Beginning 7th May

The action starts to come thick and fast now following a brilliant Guineas weekend with Chester’s May Festival taking place this week. Saturday is a busy one with the Victoria Cup at Ascot, Classic Trials at Lingfield and the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock.

Trainers

• Charlie Appleby – Horses are in rude health at present, operating at a 31% over the past two weeks. Gained six winners over the weekend, including 5 at Newmarket over the Guineas festival.
• Kevin Ryan – A stable that is really starting to hit form, had 7 winners last week, helped by a treble at Pontefract on Wednesday. Not one winner was a favourite, so don’t be put off if his runners aren’t heading the market.
• Clive Cox – Has his horses in good order, 5 winners from his last 15 runners including a double at Newmarket on Sunday. Multiple entries at Windsor on Monday and just the one at Bath.

Jockeys

• Danny Tudhope – Talented rider slowly get more high profile rides. Rode 10 winners last week and it’s worth noting his rides for David O’Meara, as 6 of the winners were for him. Will have plenty of rides throughout the week and is bound to be in the winners enclosure multiple times with momentum behind him.
• Harry Bentley – Really starting to hit his stride now, a hat-trick at Goodwood on Saturday can kick-start his season. Picks up good rides, most notably for Ralph Beckett and Henry Candy.
• Jason Watson – Talented young claimer who is making great strides. Good value for the weight he takes off and proved that with 4 winners last week, with one at 14/1. Level stakes profit for his rides so far this season and he continues to improve. 

Horses

• Yucatan – Beautifully bred son of Galileo out of multiple Group 1 winner Six Perfections, was a big Derby prospect last season before getting injured. Made a satisfying reappearance and should come on bundles, runs in the 3.55pm Naas on Monday.
• Dreamfield – Unbeaten in two starts for John Gosden, he was an 8 length maiden winner on debut, but missed all of last season. His Dam is the trainers multiple Group 1 winner Izzi Top, has unlimited potential and is entered at Ascot on Friday.
• Mutakatif – Boasts a high level of form in his first two starts, split 101 rated Finniston Farm and 98 rated Learn By Heart before doing the same to Group 2 winners Expert Eye and Barraquero. Finally got off the mark at the fourth time of asking at Chester, beat a rival who has won by 15 lengths since. Looks seriously well-handicapped off 87 and holds multiples entries at Chester and Ascot this week,