Redemption For City Of Troy
The main highlight for me was seeing City Of Troy bounce back to form to win the Epsom Derby.
Aidan O’Brien managed to turn around Auguste Rodin last year to win the Derby after he bombed out in the 2,000 Guineas, but many people believed he couldn’t do it again with City Of Troy. It just goes to show that you always have to respect Ballydoyle.
In the race, City Of Troy seemed to travel very well, and he was able to quicken after they seemed to go at a strong pace. It will be interesting to see what he can go on to achieve this season.
Weld Works Wonders
On to the Oaks, I was very impressed with Ezeylia for Dermot Weld. He just seems to have the know-how to win these Classic races.
Ezeylia is very small, but she did well to cope with the track at Epsom. She just looks like a tough and genuine filly. I think she’s a horse that could go on to bigger and better things in 2024.
Moving on to this week, it could be a busy one for me. I’m currently on a few rides up and down the country, with a couple that look to have nice chances.
My Potential Rides This Week
Tuesday
3.03 Leicester – Daylight Ransome (Phil McEntee)
Looking at the weather, I’m not sure he’ll take his chance. He’s a horse that ideally wants softer ground, and he was taken out a couple of weeks ago at Doncaster when the ground was too quick. If he does run, we’re stepping up in trip with him and trying first-time cheekpieces. Hopefully, both will bring out a bit of improvement in him.
4.38 Leicester – Charencey (Ian Williams)
It’s a competitive race, but I wouldn’t swap him. Last time I rode him, he won for me over this course and distance, and I was very impressed by the way we quickened. The handicapper has raised 5lb for that win, which looks fair. I do think he’s got a very good chance of backing up his win.
Thursday
5.45 Chelmsford – Dinky Diva (Phil McEntee)
This will be her racecourse debut, as she’s a two-year-old. Her work has been good at home, but we won’t know where we are with her until she gets some experience under her belt. Hopefully, she can have a nice introduction.
6.45 Chelmsford – Prometeo (Marco Botti)
I won on him two starts ago at Yarmouth, and he didn’t run too badly at Newmarket last time out. We’re going back to all-weather here, but I don’t think that’ll be a problem for him. I think he’s a horse that could keep on improving, and I can see him being competitive.
Friday
5.45 Bath – Autumn Flight/Porfin (Phil McEntee)
Both horses are entered in the same race for Phil McEntee, but I won’t be riding both of them.
I know Autumn Flight very well. He ran ok at Bath last time, so the track won’t be a problem. He prefers it to be softer, so we will have to see how we go with the weather.
Porfin has quite a few entries this week, so we might see him somewhere else. He is a straightforward ride and doesn’t mind it on the turf. He could run well if he did take his chance.
Saturday
8.15 Lingfield – Spanish Mane (Julia Fielden)
This mare likes Lingfield, and I won on her twice there last year. It’s fair to say she probably needed her first couple of runs this season, but she’s now down to a good mark. It will be good to see take a step back in the right direction.
I hope you all have a good week, and I’ll be checking in again with you soon.