Thought’s on Saturday runners

We send out two runners from Sarsen Farm today. Don’t Tell Claire makes the short journey to Newbury racecourse where she will run at 5.20pm with William Buick in the saddle. Raimunda travels further afield to Haydock where she lines up in the 8.30pm under Alistair Rawlinson.

Don’t Tell Claire

Don’t Tell Claire was an agonising second at Royal Ascot. A repeat of that effort would give her every chance in this contest. Regular partner Jack Mitchell is required elsewhere but the champion jockey is a more than able deputy. We’ve switched from cheek pieces to blinkers as she wandered around in front at Ascot. We are looking forward to seeing if they might resolve that habit.

Don’t Tell Claire

There are lots of lightly raced three year olds in opposition. Sparks Fly who has progressed through the handicap ranks winning her last six and looks the big danger. She looks to be particularly if there is plenty of rain.

Don’t Tell Claire runs in the colours of owner Andrew Stonehill, she will be led up by Ilse Belien.

Raimunda

Raimunda is developing as a racehorse and returns to Haydock for the third time, the likely easier going might just suit her. She drops back to mile having run fairly similarly over eight and ten furlongs so far. Given the forecast the emphasis is likely to be on stamina.

Raimunda

Copy Artist was down the field at Royal Ascot, which even given it was a step up from novice company was a touch disappointing, as she’s shown plenty of ability to date. A return to near her best makes her a tough rival for the rest of the field. The remainder are lightly raced. They have shown pretty similar form to each other and it will be largely down to which progresses the most.

Raimunda runs for owners Gary & lesley Middlebrook, who also bred the filly. She will be led up today by Tamsin Karn