Bellewstown, 4.15pm
I ride Aretesone for my dad Ted in the first today and although he has been fractionally disappointing, he has been banging on the door in his races. You could say the same for Tom Cooper’s favourite Billy De Kid and the bigger- priced Bakers Street (who put in a very good run at Cork behind Rathmuck Native).
There isn’t a whole lot between them on ratings and it may turn out that way on the track.
Bellewstown, 4.50pm
Muthaza looks my best ride of the day – on paper at least – and she’s already priced up for the mares novice hurdle at the Festival next March.
But this is her biggest test to date as a lot of the opposition are second-season novices so there way more experienced. Water Sprite was sixth to Limini at Cheltenham and has improved this season on the Flat having won at Galway. Her jockey Jack Kennedy and trainer Gordon Elliott are having a great summer.
But if Muthaza is going to develop into a graded mare this season she’s going to have to win these types of races – even if she is inexperienced.
Bellewstown 5.50pm
Willie Mullins’ Kings Wharf drops back to hurdling and there’s always a slight concern about their jumping when they revert to the smaller obstacles. They can jump too high and spend too long in the air.
However, his first win for us was over hurdles at Killarney before he won his next two over fences and the key to him is going left-handed. He’s up in grade here and there’s a few in it who are in good form.
Afatcat was an unlucky second at Galway and could have won if the jockey didn’t lose his irons. Denis Hogan’s horses are flying so Seas Aria will have to be respected.
Kings Wharf does seem to be improving and while the handicapper may have caught up with him over fences, but we’re hoping he’s still ahead of the assessor over hurdles and has one more win left in him.
Bellewstown 6.20pm
My final ride of the day for the Mullins’ yard is Henry Howard in the 3m maiden.
He’s being stepped up in trip to try and get that elusive victory, as we’ve tried everything else. He should be able to travel that bit easier over this longer trip as he’s being going as fast as he can over 2m and 2m 4f. Whether he can stay going though is the big question.
I think he’ll stay but both Winsome Bucks and Static Jack won bumpers and that’s something that Henry Howard could never do.