Loving Spirit should do the trick for Toller
The Newmarket trainer has seen the likes of Bachelor Duke and Compton Place pass through his care and Loving Spirit, who lines up in the Bet At bluesq.com Houghton Conditions Stakes at Headquarters, looks another promising recruit.
Once-raced, his debut came on the Rowley Mile at the turn of the month, where he put the more experienced White Frost to the sword by five lengths.
That was over seven furlongs on soft ground and he relished every yard, streaking clear despite hanging left. With plenty of stamina in the pedigree he will be one for middle distances next season so the step up to a mile here is only going to be in his favour.
Frankie Dettori has deserted Al Zir in the Richard Hambro Darley Stakes, but don’t let that put you off. The strapping Medaglia D’Oro colt is on the comeback trail after creditable efforts in defeat in the 2000 Guineas and Derby, where he travelled like a dream before finding the petrol gauge running on empty.
He returned at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting, with the Godolphin operation at pains to stress beforehand that he would definitely need the run.
That is how it panned out, but it should have done him the world of good and if he is anywhere near his best he will go very close under Ted Durcan, who has usurped Dettori in this situation a good few times before.
This is a big weekend for HenryCecil and he can get it off to theperfect start with Loving Thought in the EBF Prestige Vehicles Maiden Stakes.
The subject of decent home reports, she ran as though the experience would not be lost on her when third in a maiden at Kempton won by a potentially nice newcomer of Sir Michael Stoute’s.
There is every chance of a double for the Warren Place maestro through Timepiece in the Lanwades StudSeverals Stakes. Although she may need it on what will be her first outing since winning at Royal Ascot, this has been the plan for some time.
Ottoman Empire has always been held in the highest regard by the David Lanigan team and he can take another step forward in the Blue Square Bet Handicap. He impressed on his belated seasonal debut and is open to lots of improvement on turf, where he could yet better than a 98-rated performer.
Blanche Dubawi stands out at Redcar in division one of the European Breeders’ Fund Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. Not unfancied at Kempton on debut, she lost little in defeat behind a useful odds-on jolly in Darajaat, who has since been Group Three-placed.
Mick Quinlan’s juvenile was well clear of the third and this looks hers for the taking, with champion jockey-elect Paul Hanagan in the saddle.
Hanagan has a very solid book of rides on the card, including the Cecil-trained Glencadam Gold in the Hold Your Christmas Party HereMedian Auction Maiden Stakes.
Much excitement at Cheltenham as the new season gets under way at Prestbury Park, and the lightly-raced Meanus Dandy makes plenty of appeal in the Sportingbet.com Handicap Chase. He did not immediately set the world alight on joining Paul Nicholls last season but was treated for a few problems and looked good winning at Sandown in March on decent ground.
A line can be put through his pulled-up effort in the Scottish National as the marathon trip wasalways likely to prove beyond him.
