Thursday 4th May 2017

There was some good racing at Ascot yesterday, Blue Point was well fancied for the Group 2 Merriebelle Stakes and ran out a ready winner for Godolphin.

Beaten just over a length by the 2000gns favourite Churchill when last seen, Blue Point looks to have Wintered well and is one to keep on the right side of. He’ll likely be aimed at the Commonwealth Cup back at Ascot in June, it could take a good one to lower his colours.

Plenty going off this weekend with the 2000 & 1000gns being held at Newmarket. This meeting really kicks off the flat season.

I tipped Poet’s Vanity for the 1000gns on here in October 2016 and hold a antepost voucher for her at 33-1. Poet’s Vanity finished 3^rd on her prep run a few weeks with trainer Andrew Balding saying beforehand she would need the run. It was a perfectly good effort but I’m not sure she’ll be good enough to win the 1000gns, more of a fair EW chance, now priced at 16-1.

The Value Racing Club Summer horses are not far off a run but we need rain. We’ve not seen any significant rainfall for two months. Raecourses have been watering for weeks but the ground is so dry, watering is just maintaining good to firm ground.

Whilst we wait for some good ground, we have three stable tours pencilled in for owners over the next three weeks. The mornings are always good fun. Gives owners a chance to see their horses work on the gallops, have a good chat with the trainer and pictures taken with their pride and joy.