Sands Of Mali
Richard Fahey Saturday column on his team including Sands Of Mali at Haydock
Horse Racing
Sat May 26, 2018 · 6y ago
Richard Fahey can't wait to unleash Sands Of Mali in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock - check out his thoughts on a bumper Saturday team.
Leading Saturday chances
3.25 Haydock
3.30 Chester
4.05 Chester
5.15 Chester
I wouldn’t swap Sands Of Mali for anything in the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. His work at home has been that of a Group One horse.
This is a great race to be involved in and we'll find out where we are after it. We couldn’t be happier with him.
Crownthorpe is a horse I like. The ground was too quick for him at Newmarket last time and any rain before the Amix Silver Bowl Handicap will help.
We’re very pleased with Marie Of Lyon going into the British Stallion Studs Cecil Frail Stakes. I thought she ran well at Bath first time.
Five furlongs there was sharp enough for her and she was on her head the whole way. Six at Haydock will suit her much better.
We’re going to try Eastern Impact over seven furlongs in the Constant Security Handicap at York. We’ll see if that helps him as he gets older and it's worth a try. If he does stay he definitely has a chance.
I thought Carnageo ran well at the Dante meeting. The first two home that day, Reverend Jacobs and Zeelander, were well handicapped and progressive and we weren't far behind the rest.
If there's nothing lurking in the Oaks Farm Stables Handicap he could go well.
Mr Lupton is in great order going into the MansionBet Sprint Handicap and running well. He was only beaten a length-and-a-half at Newmarket last time but might find this tough off 103.
Mr Lupton: Faces tough task off mark of 103
We also run Boundsy. You can put a line through his run at Chester where he had a terrible draw and the handicapper dropped him a couple of pounds which helps. With rain forecast at York he could run a big race.
We introduce two nice colts in the Yorkshire Regiment British EBF Novice Median Auction Stakes. Pacino and Ventura Bay will definitely win races but whether they can do it at the first time of asking, I wouldn't be sure.
Any rain would help Shazzab in the Infinity Tyres Irish Champions Weekend EBF Fillies' Handicap. We're stepping her up in trip here which we’ve always felt would suit and my only worry would be if the ground was too quick.
I Was Only Joking is a frustrating filly. She works to about 90 at home but keeps getting placed without winning. She's not slow but looks to lack pace in her races which is puzzling so we’re hoping going up in trip will suit here.
We run three in the John Wright Electrical Handicap. Gabrial The Tiger has done well over the winter and might just need this. His best form is at Chester but we need to get a run into him.
Heaven's Guest ran a blinder last time and if the ground isn’t too quick he’ll be knocking on the door in this.
Heaven's Guest - could be in the shake-up
I just feel the handicapper has Scofflaw. It’s just not happening for him at the moment and we’ve had no excuses but will keep trying.
Stewardess is a pacey filly who steps up in grade for the MBNA Fillies' Handicap at Chester. She needs to do better to win this but you never know around here and she’s an ideal type for six furlongs at this track.
The Feathered Nest goes up in trip for the Caldwell Construction Handicap and wasn’t stopping when winning here last time. She's in great form.
Penwortham was the only Marwan Koukash runner at the big meeting that didn’t fire for us and we don't know why. He’s going well at home and likes the track so we’ll try again.
Gabrial's King ran well here on his reappearance and that mile-and-a-half trip is short enough for him. He’ll appreciate stepping up in the Trust Tech Handicap and is in good order and on a winning mark.
Angel Gabrial over-raced in the Chester Cup consolation race and on some of his previous runs would have a small chance here. He’s just finding it tough to win which is a shame as he’s a grand horse.
Vange is a colt we really like. He ran a good race at Beverley on debut. He just half missed the beat that day without which I think he'd have given the more experienced winner something to think about.
Six furlongs will suit him in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes and we’re very happy with him.
Gabrial The Wire makes his debut in the same race. He's quite a nice horse who came from the breeze-up sales. Marwan was keen to start him here and he will be better for the race.
Monaco Rose ran well at Wolverhampton on her reappearance and on that form would have a small chance in the RAS Ltd Handicap.
I thought Dark Devil ran a good race from a bad draw at the big meeting here. He’s fared better on that front in the Controlled Solutions Group Handicap. I’d imagine he’ll be just about favourite and have a favourite’s chance.
The Netbet Sport Handicap is a valuable pot and we run Zap and Maybride. I was pleased with the former on his comeback run at York. He had a bad draw and we had to drop him in but he flew home. We thought he might have needed it that day and he will be spot on for this.
I'm a bit disappointed Maybride is drawn out in 13. She's a progressive filly who we like. The rain on Thursday was a boost for her – and any more would be welcome – but she'll find it difficult from that wide stall.