ITV Racing Quotes 02/09/2017

Welcome to a new column at myracing, looking at the feature ITV racing contests on Saturday with the help of connections who have kindly given us their time to provide an insight into their chances.

2.25pm Sandown – Solario Stakes

Ken Condon is expecting a big performance from his star juvenile Romanised, in the Solario Stakes. The sole Irish runner in the field won a maiden at Kilbeggan, before finishing a promising seventh in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, his trainer believes there are big days ahead of him.

“He’s a horse we like a lot,” said the County Kildare-based trainer. “I was a bit disappointed with him at the Curragh last time, I thought he’s a bit better than what we saw. He’s a very talented colt…the step up to seven furlongs should help him. We haven’t seen the best of him yet.”

Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby believes there is ‘plenty more to come’ from Masar. He quickened up late on debut to defeat Invincible Army by a nose, that rival has boosted the form when finishing second at Group 2 level last week. On only his second start Masar ran strongly to place in the Chesham Stakes over this trip, losing out to promising fillies Nyaleti and September. After a break of two months from the racecourse, connections are confident of a big show from their classic hopeful.

“I’ve been delighted with his preparation at home,” said Appleby. “We gave him a little bit of a break after Royal Ascot and he’s done well from having it. The form of the Ascot run and his maiden makes him a serious player. He should like the track, he’s had a couple of runs now and he seems a bit more experienced. This grade should suit him, and there should be more to come from him.”

3.00pm Sandown – Atalanta Stakes

Marco Botti believes there is more to come from Aljazzi, who returned to form to finish second at Royal Ascot last time out. The Atalanta Stakes is the target for the dual Listed winner who was at her very best when chasing home Qemah in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.

“We’ve been really happy with the filly,” he said. “She’s training well and we haven’t had any setbacks with her. We are looking forward to running her again tomorrow. We have a good draw, and it’s a race we have been planning to take her to for a long time. I think she will handle Sandown well. She had a great run at Royal Ascot to finish second. She should step up from that, and I think she can make the frame.”

Lincoln Rocks was an encouraging winner when dropped into handicap level last time, and trainer David O’Meara believes she can build on her in pattern level. “She’s in very good form, and she’s had a great season,” said O’Meara. “We were delighted with her win at York, and she seems to have come out of that race really well. It’s a step up in grade for her now, but hopefully she can handle it.”

Cheveley Park Stud are expecting Intimation to build on last week’s rejuvenated Group 3 second. Sir Michael Stoute’s five-year-old looked like a classy mare when romping to a Listed success at Naas last season, but hasn’t built on that initial promise in two efforts this year. She finished second at Goodwood on her seasonal bow back in May, before narrowly losing out in a Group 3 contest on Sunday.

“Intimation ran very well in Ireland last weekend” said Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director. “We thought she was very unlucky, and we think this is a good opportunity to get her back. She’s in good form and come out of the race. She’s still lightly raced and there might be a bit more to come from her.”

The owners are also represented by On Her Toes. The William Haggas trained three-year-old comes into the race after winning a Listed prize at Ascot just over a month ago. “Our other horse On Her Toes has been consistent in Listed level,” he added. “She will enjoy quick ground. We’re trying her at this level, and hopefully she can pick up some black type.”

3.15 Beverley – Beverley Bullet Stakes

Paul Midgley believes there is nothing to separate his trio of runners, as he targets his first victory in the competitive Beverley Bullet Stakes.
Final Venture looks his strongest chance. The five-year-old has been running well in top five furlong sprints, and steps back into Listed company. Desert Law makes a hat-trick bid following handicap wins at Doncaster and York, while Line Of Reason returns after an eighth place finish at Goodwood last month.

“They’re all in great form at the minute, and I am really looking forward to the race,” said the Yorkshire based trainer. “It’s hard to split them, Line Of Reason has been improving steadily and he gets his best ground. He’s going there the freshest of the three. Desert Law goes there in the very best form, so you couldn’t argue against him. Final Venture has done nothing wrong, last time he just didn’t handle the ground. His best trip is five. Everything looks fine for them and it’s just a case of who runs their race.”

Richard Fahey believes his veteran sprinting star Kimberella has a strong chance of adding a second pattern victory. The seven-year-old was a Listed winner at Chester on his penultimate start, but only defeated two runners last time out at the Curragh. Fahey is confident as he steps back to the minimum distance.

“He’s a tough hardy horse and he’s been in good form this season,” proclaimed the master of Musley Bank. “He didn’t run too well last time, but we are dropping him back to five and that may just suit him. He’s got plenty of speed. The race looks good for him, I just hope the race can be run with a pace to suit him. If he is on song he should have a strong chance.”