Capone never went a yard at Sandown when we thought he'd run a decent race. We're trying blinkers today but at this stage you have to say the Jury's out on him.
Masked Identity didn't get home at Chelmsford over ten furlongs and will be helped by dropping back to a mile. He's in good form and must be in contention.
The Grand Visir won the Ascot Stakes under top-weight last year and his rating this year was too high for him to try for the double. This is the right race on the right day and if he can turn up in similar form, he would give the favourite a run for his money.
Ghaaliya is from a family we know very well, as her dam Shumoos was a very fast filly we trained before she went to race in the US. By Frankel, this filly shows plenty of promise and while we could have been treated better in the draw, I am hopeful she will not be too…
Unit Of Assessment ran below expectations at Newcastle, but he gave a very good blow afterwards. I've been giving him plenty of swimming since then and he'll be fitter on his return to Kempton, where he goes so well. Decent each-way value.
Jimmy Sparks ran a highly-promising race on debut at Newmarket and I think he has a great chance of winning on his return there today. He's a very nice colt and I think we'll be hearing a lot more of him as the season progresses.
Kipps must have a great chance. He's nominally 5lb well in, but realistically you might need double that in hand to be confident in a race like this. Luck in running will be needed and I expect Kipps will ideally be getting there right on the line. He's in great form and I'm hopeful he'll…
Sir Busker won at Newcastle immediately after the restart and now we know him, he's proving a very reliable handicapper. I think he's better being in the consolation race under top weight rather than the Hunt Cup itself and Oisin knows him, having won on him at Goodwood in similar ground. Great each-way chance.
Our fillies have been running well and Affair looks to be in much better fettle than she ever was last year. Down to her lowest mark and with a good 5lb claimer in the saddle, she has to have an each-way chance over a course where she's won before.
I think Pearl Beach will come into her own over further but I'm taking a chance over ten furlongs around here as she gets into a 0-55. Her home work suggests she's better than that so hopefully she can run a big race this before going on to more staying distances later on.
Monarch Maid hasn't got home in her two races since joining us, but has come down a few pounds. These are all much of a muchness and there's a chance the race could fall in her lap if she is held on to for a little longer. Not without an each-way chance.
Blazon never really showed much aptitude for turf when hurdling, and really he seems an all-weather specialist. We're giving him this first run on the Flat on turf more in hope than expectation.
We had high hopes of Doubly Clever at Wolverhampton the other day, but he got stuck on the rails in a slowly-run race and was never able to do his running. There will be more room around Kempton and he seems to be fine so a better run is expected tonight.
Embrace The Moment ran a couple of good races for us over the winter after joining from Richard Hannon. She's in good order and ought to go close on these terms today.
Frankelio has been disappointing, but has come down to a very appealing mark. He has been working well and from a good draw must represent good each-way value.
Restorer usually runs well first time out and returns this time on a much lower mark than he did in 2019. He finished off with his best effort for some time at Chester last backend and a good performance here would not be unexpected.
Shaffire's run at Chelmsford, wearing a hood, the other day was so far removed from all her earlier form that I think we have to draw a line under it. Without it, she should not mind this longer trip.