Saturday 19th July 2014

We were more than pleased with Gran Maestro national hunt debut, Granny was a little slow away from his hurdles but jumped safe and maybe a little big, he didn’t get the trip of two miles four also, that was the main concern going into the race.

Gran Maestro finished third so this was nice start considering he was still a flat horse just 40 days ago. A drop back in trip and with this experience under his belt should see plenty of improvement to come.

I’m struggling to find a few selections for today's racing, there’s not a huge amount of value around with quite a few favourites looking hard to beat. The rain in the midlands is biblical at the moment, it’s pouring down proper bad. A good inch of the wet stuff must have fallen.

If the storm moves elsewhere and hits a few of the racecourses the going will turn soft quickly so do watch your bets and place nearer the off.

However, Rocky Ground 3:15 Newbury priced at 7-1 EW should give us a run for our money. The horse was only beaten 3 lengths at Royal Ascot last time but travelled like the winner for the majority of the race.

Although today’s race is a Group 3 and not a handicap I’m not sure it’s as competitive as the Wokingham Rocky Ground ran in last time out. Quite a few of the other runners look a little exposed and with Andrea Atzeni back on top of the Roger Varian horse a repeat effort of his Ascot run should see him go.