Richard Fahey column: Weekend team

Newmarket

15:50 Spirit Dancer

He’s had a little break since winning the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York. I’m not saying he will need it on Saturday but he might just be sharper for the outing.

He heads to Bahrain after this for a very valuable contest and this is the ideal stepping stone into it. He has a penalty which makes life difficult and while I wouldn’t say he can’t win, it will be tough.

16:25 Blue Prince

He missed the beat at the start at Doncaster the last day but ran on very well to finish third. I think going up to seven furlongs will really suit him, he won’t mind the ground and I’d like to think seven furlongs will really suit him. He’s in the online sale on Thursday and it would be great if he went close in this before then.

York

13:15 Tropical Island

She’s been running on heavy ground for most of the year – but not through design, it’s just tended to rain whenever she’s been declared. She had her first but of decent ground here last month and won well so the rain on Friday isn’t ideal.

That said we know she handles some cut and while she needs to improve to win this, she goes there in good form and working well.

13:50 Glistening Nights

I’m a little worried about the ground for him too. He’s a good-moving horse but the owner is keen to run and we’ll let him take his chance. This is a horse who will win races but whether it’s on this ground I’m not sure.

13:50 Up The Jazz

He shows zero at home and is one of the few who does that and then performs on the track. You can’t knock him. I’ve been pessimistic about him to the owners all year and he’s continued to prove me wrong. Let’s hope that’s the case again.

14:25 Rousing Encore

He’s had his wind done since he last ran and I hope that will help him. That said testing ground on Saturday might just find him out but he’s working well and in good order.

14:25 The Ridler

Another who has had a wind operation and he’s done extremely well – by that I mean he got quite chunky on us. As a result he might just need this but he’s in good nick and going well.

15:05 Colorada Dancer

I’d love to see him win this. He’s just run up a little lighter than I’d have liked but this is his final run of the season. He has the form to land something like this and it would be great if he could head into the winter on a winning note.

15:35 Hartswood

He’s three pounds out of the handicap which I don’t like doing but but the step up to ten furlongs really helped him when he won at Ayr last week. He needs a lifetime best to follow up but clearly is in top form right now.

16:45 Bosc Girl

She’s running well without winning – through no fault of her own. She’s honest and genuine and is sure to run her race again which is all you can ask.

16:45 Furzig

I hope they go a really good gallop for this fellow as ten furlongs around here is on the sharp side for him. He’ll be coming home well if he can hang onto their coat-tails.

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