In one of the feature races, the Hillary Needer, I ride Invincible Annice for Karl Burke. It would be nice if she could back up her win from Musselburgh last week.
What is it like to ride Beverley?
It’s a track that is well known for its stiff uphill finish on the sprint course. The round track is more downhill to start with, then you go uphill as you come into the home straight. It’s a sharp test for horses, especially when you go around the tight right-handed bend. Ideally, you want a good position at Beverley, and you don’t want to be too far back, as it can be hard to make up ground coming from behind.
My Saturday rides at Beverley
2.05 – Invincible Annice (Karl Burke)
Even though it was a seller she won at Musselburgh last week, I don’t think it was a bad race as the horse that finished in second from Richard Fahey’s, Up The Clarets, is quite well regarded.
This race will be very competitive as there are 15 fillies going to post, and a lot of them could be open to any amount of improvement. However, my filly has a good draw in Stall 2, so hopefully we’ll break well and be forward enough to run a big race.
2.40 – Horus (Craig Lidster)
I don’t know too much about him, as I’ve never ridden him before. He will be making his racecourse debut here, and it would be great to see him have a good experience first time out. Though there are only six runners lining up, it could be a hot little race.
3.15 – Billyb (Craig Lidster)
He hasn’t been with Craig for long, but they think he has plenty of ability. Looking at his old form, he’s quite well handicapped, and his last run at York was a good effort. I would be quite optimistic about his chances.
4.25 – Sun Dancer Girl (Andrew Balding)
This filly was a gutsy winner when she won by a nose on the all-weather last time out at Lingfield. This will be a different test coming back onto the turf, but hopefully she’ll handle it well. Nick Bradley is a good supporter of mine, so it would be nice to pay him back with a winner here.
5.00 – Port And Starburd (Craig Lidster)
She hasn’t shown much this season after three runs, but all of them have been over sprinting trips. Today she will be going up in trip to 7½ furlongs, which might suit her as her half-brother has won over a similar distance. Hopefully, this new distance will unlock a bit of improvement in her.
I hope you all enjoy the weekend, and you’ll hear from me again next week.