Last weekend I went to Ireland, where I was able to come away with a winner as Poet Master won the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh for Karl Burke. That was a career-best performance from him, and hopefully there is more to come from him this season.
I also won on Swinging Eddie at Catterick on Wednesday for Grant Tuer. He had come back down to a good mark, and he deserved to get his head in front.
This weekend I’m at York for their two-day meeting on Friday and Saturday. I’ve got six across the two days, where I’d be hopeful I could ride a winner or two.
My York Rides
Friday
5.30 – Bowman (Danny Brooke)
His run last time at Catterick was a little disappointing, but maybe the slower ground was to blame. Prior to that, he had been holding his form well, so if he can bounce back, he’d definitely be in with a squeak here.
6.40 – Groundhog (David & Nicola Barron)
I don’t know much about him, as I’ve not sat on him at home before. This will be his racecourse debut, and it’s a competitive big field of juveniles with lots of untapped potential. We’ll know more about him after this race, but hopefully he can have a nice introduction.
7.50 – Karmology (Karl Burke)
She won well over this course and distance last time out, and the front two were miles clear from the rest. That was a handicap, and we’re now stepping up in grade to Listed company with her, but she’s definitely entitled to take her chance. We’re drawn a bit wide in Stall 9, but I don’t think that should be a problem as we can give some time to get into a good position. It would be great if we could get her some black type here.
8.20 – Curious Dash (Katie Scott)
He’s a grand little horse who’s run some really good races this season, which included a decent fifth in the three-year-old Epsom Dash back in June. He has a lot of natural speed, so he’ll probably be up there early on. Katie has been a big supporter of mine, so it would be great to pay her back with another winner.
Saturday
2.40 – Korker (Karl Burke)
He ran well here last time out when he finished fourth in a Listed race. We’re back down into handicap company, but that shouldn’t be an issue as he’s got a lot of talent. He is stepping up in trip to 6f, which is a distance he’s not run over much during his career. However, the way he hit the line last time suggests he’s worth a shot at it. York sprint handicaps are always very competitive, but he’s got a good chance of being involved at the finish.
5.40 – Alreet Cha (Craig Lidster)
I’ve not ridden him before, but by looking at bits and pieces of his form, he wouldn’t be without a chance. Two starts ago he ran well at York to finish fifth, so he should like the track. He has had a wind operation since his last run at Beverley and has been given a few weeks off, so hopefully that’ll just have freshened him up a little bit. It would be great if he could take a step forward and be in the frame.
I hope you all have a good weekend, and I’ll catch up again with you soon.