Hambleton-based Kevin Ryan guides us through the pick of his strong team for 2019 including a Classic crop that is getting him excited.
Flag-bearer: Major Jumbo - he's now looking like the sprinter we thought he'd become and I'd say he's only just getting his full strength.
On the upgrade: Secret Venture will be a great horse to follow with a bit of luck, starting this weekend.
Exciting two-year-old: We've a nice bunch of two-year-olds including several for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. There's a Siyouni colt we're particularly looking forward to although it's early days with the juveniles.
It’s that time of the year when the Flat season takes centre stage. With thousands of horses, hundreds of jockeys and plenty of trainers performing across the UK & Ireland in multiple meetings every single day, it can be tough to keep track of all that catches your eye. But not any longer. Our My Stable service is the simple and perfect way to stay on top (and ahead) of the game.
Emaraaty Ana
He runs in the 2000 Guineas and he's in great form.
I think the step up in trip will really suit and he likes fast ground so that won't be a problem if it came up quick.
He's developed really well from two to three. He always looked a little bit on the weak side as a two-year-old, even Frankie (Dettori) said that after he rode him in the Gimcrack. He said he felt a little weak still so that suggests there should be more to come from what he showed as a two-year-old.
He's an exciting colt.
East
She' done really well over the winter. She's a very straightforward filly and the plan is to go for the French Guineas.
I think we bumped into something very special at the Breeders' Cup (second to Newspaperofrecord) and she ran a very good race from the draw she had. There was nothing else you could do but she got behind and came through to beat everything else. Great credit to her for running the race she did.
We'll go to France not only for the potential for ease in the ground but the style of racing there will suit her. It's a big galloping track and they tend to go a bit less of a strong gallop and you need a horse with a turn of foot. She has that, she has a lovely turn of foot.
REPLAY: Watch NEWSPAPEROFRECORD (IRE) win the Juvenile Fillies Turf on #FutureStarsFriday at @ChurchillDowns! #BC18 #Champion 💫
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 2, 2018
Watch live on @NBCSN: https://t.co/PAKMytW8L4 pic.twitter.com/1uQ152eqQN
Hello Youmzain
There was always a bit of a doubt that he'd stay the trip at Newbury (fourth in the Greenham Stakes on seasonal reappearance) and he'll go back to six furlongs now with a view to heading for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
It's always a hot race, of course, but he did nothing wrong last year and we're very hopeful that he can keep going in the right direction as a sprinter this year.
He handled soft ground well last year but I think he'd be fine on good, good to firm ground. I don't think it'd be a problem for him being quick. He's a pretty sound horse.
Secret Venture
He won first time out at Leicester last May and not many of ours would be good enough to win on debut.
He ran a good race when seventh in the sales race at York after that and then just got a bit tired close home on heavy ground at Ayr's big meeting in September.
I'm convinced he's going to have a good time of things this year as he's looking good in his preparatory work and will hopefully start off on the right note at Hamilton this weekend.
Brando
Brando is a bit of a superstar and he'll follow a similar route to the past couple of years.
He's a legend. We'll stick to the tracks that we know suit him and I thought he ran great again at Newmarket (third in the Abernant). The ground was probably just a shade too quick for him on the day, even though he handles faster ground better than he used to.
He seems as good as ever.
Major Jumbo
He's in the Palace House at the weekend and he's also in the Listed race in France on Guineas day so he has options at the weekend and we've loads of options with him going forward.
He's a lovely horse to train, he's got a great attitude and he loves his racing. We always thought he was going to develop into a top-class sprinter and he's taken the right steps each year. I think he's only just got his full strength now aged five.
We're really looking forward to the season with him.
Hey Jonesy
He finished second at Chelmsford on his first run back of the season in a conditions race.
He ran a lovely race and he's in the Duke of York at the Dante Festival and that might well be his next start. He's out of handicaps now and I think he can compete.
He was a good two-year-old and he ran some solid races last year. It's hard for them at three but hopefully he can have a good year this year.
Commander Han
He's a horse I've always thought very highly of and I was actually a bit disappointed with his comeback run at Musselburgh as I thought he'd win.
Maybe we're getting the trip a little bit wrong as that was over seven furlongs and we'll step him up to a mile now. I'm half thinking he could end up over 10 furlongs by the end of the season and he's a horse I believe still has a lot of potential.
He's in the Thirsk Hunt Cup so we'll have a look at him over a mile there and he could then run at York.
Everything For You
He ran really well at Ripon. He had a poor draw there and it may have cost him on the day.
He looks like he'll get a mile and a half so hopefully he'll have a good year and he's rated 93 so will be contesting some good handicaps.
Savalas
We're going to go back up to six furlongs with him. He ran over five at Musselburgh and he was quite disappointing really, he didn't show his usual speed.
Maybe now he's a year older he'll need a furlong further and hopefully he can put that run behind him and come back to what we thought he looked like he was going to do.
The Great Heir
He had a good year as a two-year-old, he won three times from seven starts including a good race at Doncaster.
He'll probably get seven furlongs and he's a tough, hardy horse. He was due to run at Musselburgh and picked up a little niggle but he's over that now, he's over that and hopefully we'll have him out very shortly.