Saturday 6th September 2014

It’s been a manic week with all efforts concentrated on the DBS sales that took place at Doncaster on Wednesday & Thursday. I’m delighted to inform we purchased a really exciting 3yo mare that’s bred in the purple, half sister to the top class hurdler Cockney Sparrrow.

She’s called Dino Mite, and holds a flat rating of 80 after an 18 length maiden win.

Please see the “New horse” post for further information.

Fort Bastion runs again this afternoon in the 1:55 at Ascot, we’ve supported the Ruth Carr trained horse on its last few runs.

Last time out at York everything looked right for a huge effort but Fort Bastion was settled behind the pace and used himself up to get competitive, by the time he got to the leaders he was cooked and faded, beaten just over 4 lengths.

Fort Bastion drops in trip today and has blinkers on for the first time, I’m not concerned about the distance and sure there’s a good reason for the 1^st time blinkers, however the Ruth Carr horses haven’t been in the same form as earlier in the season, the yard haven't had a winner in quite a few runs now.

If Fort Bastion remains in good form and is ridden handier he would have enough ability to run well at a big price. I've just had a small EW bet at 25-1 as he looks up against it this afternoon, if ran a blinder without any support would be gutted.

Auspicion is well thought of and looks sure to run his race 2:25 at Ascot. The problem with these maidens is you just don’t know what you’re up against, however Auspicion is a decent type and the booking of Ryan Moore shows connections mean business.

The entire Ascot card is highly competitive with big fields, I’m swerving rest of that meeting.

Heavy rain hit Haydock this morning, the going is still forecast as good ground but that could easily change. Nothing stands out whilst can’t really recommend anything until we know how it’s riding.

Looking elsewhere nothing really sets the pulse racing but Sir Michael Stoute sends Mukhayyam on the long journey to Thirsk 4:55, from memory it quite rare the Newmarket trainer runs horses here. Mukhayyam looks to hold an obvious chance in what looks a trappy little contest.