Top trainer Richard Fahey talks us through his 20-strong team around the country on Saturday as he unleashes a few newcomers as well as some more familiar names.
We had a great double at Musselburgh last weekend with Coolagh Forest and Ventura Gold winning and you can tell the season is in full swing now as we have 20 runners around the country on Saturday…
Haydock
Great Prospector – 2.05
Plenty of mine could do with the rain arriving at Haydock on Saturday and Great Prospector is one of them in the Betway Old Boston Handicap over seven furlongs. He didn’t stay in the Lincoln so he should enjoy dropping back a furlong here and he continues to please us at home.
Growl – 2.05
In the same race Growl makes his seasonal reappearance and he has to prove he stays seven furlongs. He’s getting a bit older now so maybe he’ll stretch further and he’s another one who would like some rain. He’s fit and well and ready to run.
Ventura Bay – 2.40
He ran a good race from an ordinary draw at Windsor, we had to force him up there, on his first run since being gelded last time. He ran okay and that will have put him right, so from a better draw in seven I’m hoping for a good run.
Call Him Al – 2.40
In the same race Call Him Al has a similar profile to Ventura Bay and I wouldn’t like to split them. Paul Hanagan didn’t have a choice I just put him on this one as I thought he might improve from Musselburgh. If he does improve for going up in trip his form will improve.
Gabrial – 4.50
There’s not much I can say about old Gabrial, everyone else knows him as well as me. He’s back in handicap company and I thought he ran okay in the Doncaster Mile. Any rain would help him as well.
Shazzab - 5.25
The ground was Good to Firm at Beverley for her last time and that didn’t suit. Considering that she ran well and if we get the rain I’d give her a chance off a pound lower mark.
Doncaster
Red Reflection – 5.45
He’s a two-year-old colt by Zebedee making his racecourse debut and he’s a big, fine horse. He works okay but he is a bit lazy at home, he’s very laid back, and I think a race will do him good. I’d be surprised if he can win first time up but he looks the part.
Indomeneo – 6.45
Silvestre de Sousa won on him at Ripon last May, the only time he has ridden him, so the owners were keen to get him back on board. He’s in really good order, likes Doncaster and should come on for his seasonal reappearance, so there is plenty in his favour.
Fantastic Ms Fox – 7.15
The step up in trip to 1m4f and it should suit her. I trained her mother, Cracking Lass, and she won over 1m4f at Doncaster. She’s a little bit eccentric and it looks a warm race, so she needs to up her game, but the trip can help and she’s working well.
Leicester
Bravo Faisal – 2.15
He’s a nice two-year-old colt by Kodiac who is working really well. He’ll probably want six furlongs soon but I always think that pure ability can see them win over five furlongs especially on a stiff track.
Ramesses – 5.35
He’s a half-brother to Borodin who we train and that horse was second on his handicap debut off a mark of 86. Ramesses novice form wouldn’t be as strong so he’s rated 68 ahead of his first go in a handicap but he’s a hard horse to get a handle on. On pedigree seven furlongs looks about right and he is fit and well.
Ripon
Baileys Prayer – 1.45
He’s a two-year-old by Supplicant, who I trained, and this would be one of his first runners. In fact, I had a winner with one of his first runners, Baileys In Bloom, at Beverley on Thursday. He’s a good, hardy, horse and I’d say he’ll be better for having a race.
Crownthorpe – 2.20
I’d say he’ll be one of my better chances on Saturday. He’s a very solid horse and he ran well in Ireland last time. He’ll come on for that and he’s won around Ripon before which is so important. It’s a competitive race, it filled up quite late, but he’s got a good draw and he’s back down to his last winning mark. I’m happy with him.
Lucky Lucky Man - 2.55
I’ve three in the Celebrating Pipers Note Handicap over six furlongs and Lucky Lucky Man doesn’t look the best handicapped of the trio. He won the Bronze Cup but the handicapper has had his say and he looks high enough now.
Maggies Angel – 2.55
In contrast Maggies Angel has got herself very well handicapped. She was rated 98 last August but runs off 87 here and she wouldn’t be the first horse to bounce back off a lower mark as a four-year-old.
Gin In The Inn – 2.55
He won this race last year off a 1lb lower mark. He surprised me that day and I hope he does so again as he doesn’t do an awful lot at home but he can pop up and win now and again when least expected.
Claire Underwood – 4.00
She’s 3lb out of the handicap which I never do, but for a £25,000 pot I thought it was worth taking a punt. I’m breaking my own rules there but I thought I’d give it a go as she’s been in great form at Newcastle and has been working well since she last ran in February.
Wolverhampton
Boundsy – 5.30
Boundsy was rated 89 this time last year and now he’s running off 65, so he’s extremely well handicapped. There are no excuses for him now if he doesn’t shape well, this is a poor race for a horse of his quality. It’s a while since he showed his true form but he’s no back number at home in the work he’s showing us.
Firewater – 7.00
He’s been gelded and this is his all-weather debut. He’s a bit slow at home, a bit of a plodder, but the step up in trip should help and there are bits and pieces of form from last year that would give him a chance.
Robeam – 7.00
At home he works like an 80 or 90-rated horse but is running off a mark of 51 in this which shows you how frustrating he is. Clearly, he’s been very disappointing but I do cling to the hope that he works much better than the ability he’s shown on the track.
