Top trainer Richard Fahey highlights plans for Space Traveller and Ventura Rebel before guiding us through his weekend runners, featuring the well-regarded Istanbul at Beverley.
Before getting into the weekend's action it's worth mentioning a couple of our Royal Ascot team and where they might be seen next.
Firstly, Jersey Stakes winner Space Traveller has come out of the race well and we're pointing him towards the Group Two Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Ventura Rebel has options but he's also done well since finishing a close second in the Norfolk Stakes and we're thinking we might hang fire and wait for the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury, a race we've won three times in the past six years. We're going to give Newmarket a miss anyway.
As for Saturday we've got runners up and down the country and we'll be hoping we can follow on from last weekend's success.
Arctic Fox - 2.05 Haydock
She's progressive and she's up in trip again, on pedigree there's a good chance she'll stay and it's worth a go for a valuable race. She's on the up but needs to raise her game again. Paddy gets on well and knows how to win on her.
Society Red - 3.15 Haydock
He's having another go at the Old Newton Cup, we're still not absolutely sure he stays that far but he shapes like he should.
It's not a bad draw in stall seven as he had a really wide draw in this race 12 months ago and just couldn't get into it. He's a little bit lower in the weights now so we'll see how he gets on.
Corndavon Lad - 3.50 Haydock
We were a little bit disappointed with his last start but we are happy with him. He could make a bit of progress yet but it's early days with the nurseries and if the handicapper has got it right then they should all finish in a straight line!
I wouldn't be worried about the six furlongs for him and he seems in good form.
Lexi The One - 3.50 Haydock
She might just be short of a bit of pace and may need a step up to seven furlongs to be seen at her best. But she's got a low weight and we'll take our chance to see where we stand.
Gabrial The Devil - 5.00 Haydock
He's slowly running himself back into form and I thought he ran okay the other day when second. He definitely has a chance and came out of last weekend's race well so we'll run again. The handicapper looks to have given him a bit of a chance anyway so hopefully he runs up to the same form as last time.
Lion's Vigil - 2.00 Beverley
Typsy Toad - 2.00 Beverley
Both Lion's Vigil and Typsy Toad could be horses for handicaps a little further down the line. I'd be pleasantly surprised if either of them were able to win a novice to be honest but I've been surprised before so we'll see how they go.
Istanbul - 2.35 Beverley
He's a colt I really like, he just over-raced a little bit first time out when third at Ripon last month. He's drawn nine of 11 which isn't ideal at all around Beverley but I'd like to think he'll go on to prove himself to be pretty smart. The form of his debut run isn't bad and it'll be good to see if he can settle better now.
Requinto Dawn - 3.10 Beverley
Slowly but surely the handicapper has given him a chance and dropping back to five furlongs I don't think will bother him. I think the track will suit and I've been quite happy with him lately in his homework. He looks like he's coming back to a bit of form and runs from a career-low mark of 68.
Sootability - 3.45 Beverley
It's a competitive race for Sootability and she'll need to up her game to win it but it's a decent amount of prize money and we're happy to have a go.
Indomeneo - 4.20 Beverley
He's creeping down the weights now having been a very good two-year-old. He's got a chance from his current mark and as long as the ground is not too quick I could see him showing up quite well.
Ivory Charm - 4.55 Beverley
She ran okay at Chester when we stepped her up in trip and it seemed to suit. She's in the sales next week, but she's honest and she tries.
Cameo Star - 6.00 Carlisle
Cameo Star has been a very disappointing horse. He's very well at home but he needs to put it together on the track.
Felicia Blue - 6.30 Carlisle
I was pleased with her debut run at Ripon as I thought she'd improve for the outing so that could bode well. I think she's got a chance of winning here. I wouldn't be concerned about the ground for her.
Baladio - 9.00 Carlisle
She's not shown a lot at home. I'm hoping she stays this far as she's not blessed with a lot of speed. She's very fit and very well.
What Is Life - 6.10 Nottingham
She goes well at home and we couldn't be happier with her work. She's an Iffraaj filly and we're expecting a positive showing first time out so fingers crossed.
Stewardess - 6.40 Nottingham
She ran quite well fourth at Pontefract recently and is starting to run herself back into form. She's down another pound in the weights and won't have to improve much to be seriously competitive in this field.
Kingson - 8.10 Nottingham
We're just starting to step him up in trip a bit here and hopefully that will help. It's an open enough race and he might not be far away in this sort of company.
