Thoughts on Sunday’s runners
The team head to Wolverhampton today. In the 1.30 Don’t Tell Claire under looks to build on an encouraging seasonal reappearance where she did well from a wide draw and trip to finish second, splitting a pair of previous winners. Adam McNamara is in the irons for the 6 furlong novice. She has a better drawn and should have improved a bit for the experience on what was only her second start.
In the race the Heavens View sets a standard with her rating of 74. This is her first run of the season and as she is by Pivotal she may have improved over the winter. Rubia Bella was second on her debut over a year ago and if able to overcome the lengthy absence will be a danger. Silk Lace was also second on her recent debut. The form of that race is questionable as the winner was well clear of the rest and those that were close behind hadn’t shown a great deal of form. She is open to improvement and will no doubt pose more of a threat today.
Don’t Tell Claire was purchased at Goffs Doncaster Yearling Sales for owner Andrew Stonehill for £15,000 by Daniel and Claire from Byerley Stud. You can find out more about Daniel and Claire’s bloodstock services here. Today she will be led up Billie Portwin, he regular partner at home is Eloise Chapman.
Kings Counsel makes his seasonal reappearance in the 3.35. Adam McNamara rides in the mile and six furlong handicap. Kings Counsel is a big rangy gelding who was an orphan foal and has always been a backward type, he ran for experience as a three year old and qualified for his handicap mark. He has strengthened nicely over the winter and should show improved form as a result. That said his handicap mark looks high on the basis of what he achieved as a three year old so he needed to have improved to be competitive. He will be suited by trips in of two miles and beyond in due course.
Red Secret was an impressive winner at Kempton earlier in the week and has to be respected on that basis. It is worth bearing in mind that was a lower grade of race than this one. Elhafei and Gold Arch are last time out winners and neither is exposed at this trip. Elhafei won on his reappearance breaking his duck on his first attempt at further then a mile and a half, like Red Secret it was a weaker race and as a five year old he is less open to improvement then Gold Arch. Gold Arch looks the type on paper to have improved from three to four and there is every reason to believe the extra two furlongs will be fine for him.
Kings Counsel was bred and is owned by Gary and Lesley Middlebrook. By Camelot he is the last foal out of the excellent race mare Love Everlasting. Yard Manager has done an outstanding job developing Kings Counsel in recent months, as he is a horse that has needed his confidence building. Today he will be led up Billie Portwin.