Sands Of Mali defends his QIPCO British Champions Sprint crown at Ascot on Saturday. Check out our star columnist's thoughts on him and the rest of his Saturday team.
13:35 Ascot - Sands Of Mali
He’s back to defend his crown and we’re very, very happy with him going into the race. It’s been a very disappointing season for everyone connected with the horse this term, myself included, but he had a little problem after Ascot and wasn’t moving quite right.
He’s moving great again now and his work, as it always is, has been very good. He likes the course and while he goes on any ground he has plenty of solid form when it’s testing. I hope he’s going to show his true colours on Saturday.
16:40 Ascot - Coolagh Forest
He’s coming back in trip having won over ten furlongs the last twice but has won at a mile too and it will take a bit of getting in this ground. He’s in the sales in a few weeks’ time and this is a shot to nothing with £250,000 up for grabs. He’s in great form.
13:40 Catterick - Cuban Affair
She goes well but I’m very worried about the ground for her on debut – it’s going to be very testing at Catterick. She’ll win a novice but I’m not sure it will be this one.
13:40 Catterick - Felicia Blue
She’s got a stalls aversion I’m afraid and I really hope she goes in here without any problems. She showed plenty at Ripon first time up but we’ll have to see what happens.
14:15 Catterick - Let Her Loose
She’s been running ok but is quite a big filly and just hasn’t quite been finishing her races quite as we’d like. She has ability.
Sands of Mali having a canter this morning before heading to Ascot. #ChampionsDay Have a great day pic.twitter.com/GIZ9tHEN2m
— Richard Fahey (@RichardFahey) October 18, 2019
14:15 Catterick - Savage Beauty
She’s quite nice and will win races but the run here will do her the world of good and she’ll learn plenty from it.
14:50 Catterick - Gin In The Inn
He needs to bounce right back. He’s been very disappointing and could be heading into retirement if he doesn’t shape up here.
16:30 Catterick - Right Action
He’s back down to a winnable mark and won’t mind the testing ground. He’s going nicely at home and could go well.
16:30 Catterick - Wasntexpectingthat
We like him but he’s been very disappointing and his last two runs have been terrible without any obvious excuses. He has to bounce back from those to be competitive.
16:30 Catterick - Zip
He’s been running well and is another who’ll handle the ground. Seven furlongs around here should suit him and I wouldn’t draw a line through him.
17:40 Wolverhampton - Kitten's Dream
She’s another nice two-year-old debutant with ability. She’s ready to start out but it might be a decent race and she’ll benefit from the experience.
