It’s another diverse assortment of racing this weekend.
Internationally, Dubai continues the Carnival on Friday, it’s a big day in the States on Saturday at Fair Grounds and Laurel Park, while there’s big money on offer in Qatar.
Closer to home we see Grade One jumping action at Ascot on Saturday, a big day at Haydock which hosts the Rendlesham Hurdle and the Grand National Trial, while Wincanton stages the Kingwell Hurdle.
Friday 17th February 2023
2.35 Meydan (Handicap) – SILENT SPEECH
You could argue the form is a little all over the place with these contenders. Boomshalaa may want things softer, City Walk seems to have one big standout performance on his record while Open Mind is perhaps the most solid.
Silent Speech is the one with all the potential, but we don’t know if he’ll need the run. He got injured here last year then was last at Ascot in September after a break.
They’ve persevered with him though so from a high draw, at nice odds and with a very taking course and distance win behind him, he could be worth chancing.
3.45 Meydan (Lord Glitters Handicap) – NEW KINGDOM
I would stick my neck out and say that, on known form, this race would come down to Tranquil Night, New Kingdom and Aegean Finale on a level playing field.
Turkish runner Aegean Finale could improve on his fine second five weeks ago, but his race was run at a proper pace and it may have exaggerated the numbers a little.
Tranquil Night has all sorts of talent but was terrible last time which i13s a worry, so on balance the fact that William Buick ditches him and rides New Kingdom is a decent pointer.
New Kingdom was favourite up against subsequent Derby performer Nations Pride this time last year (runs later on the card), won a decent handicap at Doncaster and was taking on his year-opening third here last time out.
Saturday 18th February 2023
1.15 Doha (The Amir Trophy) – WARREN POINT
There are a few valuable races early on at Doha, Qatar on Saturday. Many British and Irish trainers and jockeys are involved.
There is over £1.1 million up for grabs in this race, a mile-and-a-half event won by Outbox last year when it was worth £420,000.
There are a few solid ones who’ve been better and are now regressing slightly, such as Russian Emperor and Broome, while Senor Toba and Romagna Mia are interesting.
The two to concentrate on, having no idea what odds will be produced, are Aidan O’Brien’s Stone Age and Charlie Appleby’s Warren Point.
Stone Age has been rock-solid in behind some good horses but always that, in behind. He ran to a mark of 118 behind Rebel’s Romance at the Breeders’ Cup but there’s no guarantee he’ll do it again and if anything it gives Appleby a good sighter.
His Warren Point is the suggestion. He beat Blue Trail in the summer and then the 108-rated Wild Crusade comfortably at Kempton over the winter. He grabbed an easy win for us in Bahrain last time, running to around 115 without breaking too much of a sweat and he’s a definite improver who is race fit.
2.40 Haydock (Grand National Trial – Premier Handicap Chase) – OMAR MARETTI
There are 15 horses in the Grand National Trial, about half the number of British horses left in the National itself.
How this race will affect the market for April 15 I don’t know, but on the day there may be some value in backing Omar Maretti and that’s good enough for me.
Alex Hales’ nine-year-old is ripe for this. I like what he did at Catterick a year ago and he will be sharp after his run at Ayr last time. Grumpy Charley, Quick Wave and Fontaine Collonges are others to consider.
3.35 Ascot (Ascot Chase – Grade 1) – SHISHKIN
Nicky Henderson has been itching to try star chaser Shishkin out over longer trips, so the two-mile, five-furlong distance here should be theoretically ideal.
True, he’s had his problems since battling to a scintillating Clarence House Chase victory last January, but he’s been given some rest, a breathing operation and new and refreshing task.
He is the best horse in this race by some way, and we may be able to get second-favourite odds about him. He is taken to get back on track at Grade 1 level and score ahead of last year’s winner Fakir D’Oudairies and Pic D’Orhy.
6.30 Newcastle (Fillies’ Novice Stakes) – REFLECTIVE STAR
It may only be £9k to the winner, but it’s unusual anywhere to see these three-year-old novice races at Class 3 level and worth £18,400 in total. There’s another of them at Newcastle for the males during the week, and given Gosforth Park’s recent track record they are worth keeping an eye on as a star could be lurking.
Juddmonte filly Floating Spirit was engaged here although she has been sent to Lingfield on Saturday instead. Charlie Appleby also had a few entered up, but it was always clear Reflective Star was heading north as Jack Mitchell was booked to ride at the five-day stage.
Charlie Johnston’s Alpina Express (Sea The Moon) and Richard Fahey’s Bosc Girl (Zoffany) make their debuts, while the aforementioned Reflective Star (Dubawi) and the Gosden runner Queen Regent (Roaring Lion) have a little more experience.
Queen Regent is likely to go off favourite. She was third on debut at Kempton, running to a mark in the mid-70’s by my reckoning. She can improve into the 80’s now, but she had no excuses in finishing just behind a pair of Charlie Appleby fillies meaning the top trainer knows where he stands.
His Reflective Star was absolutely shocking on debut last November, running no race at all. She then stepped up to finish fourth at 66/1 in December at Southwell, running into the 70’s after having to make the running.
She now has experience, was never the finished article before and is an obvious big improver, so she gets the nod.
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