Thoughts on Friday’s Runners

We send out two runners today from Sarsen Farm on Friday 14th June. LIL GUFF heads to Sandown where she is set to line up in the 2.05pm 4 year old plus handicap over 5 furlongs. Oisin Murphy will be in the saddle hoping to get past the post first. HILLTOP is our other runner, she goes to Goodwood in the 7.15pm 3 year old fillies handicap over 6 furlongs. Jim Crowley will be taking the ride on her this evening.

LIL GUFF

Lil Guff looks to repeat her victory in this race which she won last year. That day William Buick was in the saddle but Oisin was second in a valuable class 3 race later on in the year over course and distance. The mare hasn’t had the best of luck in races this season but has worked nicely at home and shown she retains all her ability. It’s a race the yard has a good record in too, Seneca Chief was second and fourth in the race the two season before.

Really wide open sprint handicap the well drawn Fantasy Master is in good form. Brave Nation seems to like a stiff five furlongs and ran well in a stronger race last time out.

Lil Guff runs in the colours of owner Wayne Clifford and was bred by Sarah Clifford at their Byerley Stud. She will be led up by Epona Miller who rides and cares for her daily at home.

HILLTOP

Hilltop ran well over six furlongs two starts back, but failed to fire upped to seven last time out. She drops back in trip here and will hopefully have benefitted from that first run on turf.

Cypriot Diaspora has a pretty good record in these sort of races on turf and sets the standard here. Dropping back isn’t entirely the obvious move for handicap debutant Lyraisa. Imola wouldn’t have to take a big step forward switched out of maiden company to be involved and if Gogo Yubari matches her all weather form she must have a chance.

Hilltop runs for owners Gary and Lesley Middlebrook who also bred the filly. She will be led up today by Ilse Beliën.