Top trainer Richard Fahey guides us through his runners around the country on Saturday and he quietly fancies a big run from Another Touch in the Cambridgeshire.
I was very proud of Growl last week when he was second in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup. He’s a star, the second time he’s been runner-up in the race and he was just unfortunate to get mugged by the winner after out-battling Gulliver inside the final furlong.
The handicapper has put him up 3lb and we’re running out of options for him now. However, the Coral Sprint Trophy at York next month looks an obvious target so he’ll likely take his chance there seeing as he’s in such great form.
Onto this Saturday’s runners…
Lexi The One – Chester 1.35
She’s got more experience than these and she’s probably not got a rating that says she’s can win a novice. However, it’s a 10k bonus race and in extreme conditions we thought we’d take our chance, though she does need to step up.
Crownthorpe – Haydock 2.05
He runs on Friday and would need to come out of that race well to go again on Saturday, we’ll see how he is.
Gabrial The Wire – Haydock 2.05
He’s won three times at Chester including his latest run and on his going day he’d have a good chance. He is up 5lb but is unproven in testing conditions which is more of a worry.
Gabrial The Tiger – Chester 2.10
He’s just a legend of a horse. Last time out he got the 13th win of his career and he always tries so hard, you can’t draw a line through him. I’m a bit worried about the soft ground but you could never rule him out.
Penwortham – Chester 2.10
He’s run well plenty of times for us this season and won at Chester in June, but I was a bit disappointed with him last time out – I just wonder if the wear and tear of a long season is catching up with him. On his best form he has a chance at these weights.
Gabrial The Devil – Chester 2.10
Out of the three he’d probably be my pick. He ran well here last time out when just beaten by Gabrial The Tiger and seven furlongs around Chester with juice in the ground is perfect for him. He’s ready to strike and I hope he can do it Saturday.
Moon Of Love – Newmarket 2.25
She’s a filly we like and it was good to get a novice win into her the other day, that should give her confidence. Obviously the Cheveley Park is a big step up and I’d be delighted if she managed to get in the first four.
Lawaa – Ripon 2.30
I forgave him Goodwood but I was less forgiving of his Hamilton run and he needs to bounce back now. Judging by his Epsom effort and what he shows at home the handicapper has given him a chance but he has to go and prove it now. The ground and trip should suit.
Brian The Snail – Haydock 2.40
I just have it in my head that he doesn’t like testing ground so he has to prove me wrong on that score. He’s well handicapped now, so if he does handle the ground he’d have a chance.
Pop Dancer – Chester 2.45
He started really well in July and August and I gave him a bit of a break after York as he’d done a lot in a short space of time. Six furlongs around Chester should suit him.
Summer Sands – Newmarket 3.00
We’re shooting for the moon a bit here in a very hot Middle Park Stakes, so I’m under no illusions. If he could get in the prize-money I’d be delighted but he was outpaced at York in the Gimcrack and he needs to have come on from that to have a say in this.
Powerallied – Haydock 3.15
He loves Chester, which is good given his owner, and he actually beat the Ayr Gold Cup winner there two starts ago. I don’t think he particularly liked the ground at Haydock last time out but he should relish the return to Chester.
Another Touch – Newmarket 3.40
I see he's 40/1 for the Cambridgeshire and those odds look very fair to me. He’s only had the two runs this year; a good fourth in the John Smith’s Cup at York and then his fifth at Ayr last time out where he seemed to be running at half speed two out. I just think he was a bit too fresh in Scotland after a break, but that should’ve put him spot on for this and I can see him outrunning his odds.
Embolden – Haydock 3.50
He’s a horse we like and things didn’t fall for him at Chester last time out so he’s worth forgiving that. The question mark is the extreme conditions but if he gets home in the ground he could run well.
Toronado Queen – Chester 3.55
She found it tough the other day under a penalty at Chelmsford but it probably wasn’t a bad run, similar to her debut win really, so I’d give her a chance in this.
Shabeeb – Haydock 5.00
It’s his first run for us so I can’t tell you a lot to be honest. I have been happy with what I’ve seen from him at home, though, so we’ll see how he runs and take things from there.
Gabrials Boy – Haydock 5.00
He simply didn’t get home over 1m6f in soft ground at Haydock last time out, so we’ll find out more about his current mark now he drops in trip.
Gabrial The One – Chester 5.05
His last 10 runs have been at Chester so we know he handles the track fine, even though he’s yet to win there from 14 goes. We don’t know if the combination of soft ground and an extreme trip is ideal for him, so it’s worth a go, but he usually finds one to beat him to be honest.
