2.35 - Mississippi River
We start things with Mississippi River in the Lockinge at Newbury this weekend. We're on the outside of the field, but he's run in a lot of these races before, supporting the first string. This is a very competitive Group 1 where the favourite [Damysus] is obviously going to be hard to beat, especially considering what he did last time out at Newmarket.Â
There are other strong names in there, such as Notable Speech who will want a little bit of ease in the ground, which is what he might get. The Lion In Winter is one who is held in high regard, and he's started this year off with a winner so he's in a good place. If he shows the potential they thought he had last year, then he'd absolutely be one to watch here. It's a big ask for us though, like I say. We're going to have to find a lot to beat this competitive field.Â
3.10 - Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi is next for us on Saturday, an Irish horse we've got in the sprint. He looked like he ran nicely last time out, and got a little bit tired on a stiff track. This is a fast horse, but he'll obviously have to find improvement, as the odds suggest. That being said, I think the conditions will suit - he's an Irish horse and they don't tend to mind a bit of a cut in the ground if that was to be the case. With the benefit of a recent run, he'll strip a lot fitter for that.
3.45 - Sahara King
Sahara King is a horse with a hell of a lot of ability. He always runs well and has only been beaten by short margins, by very good horses. The winner at Newbury last month has gone on to win a Derby trial... he only beat him by less than a length. And then the one that beat him at Newmarket earlier this month was a very good horse.Â
He just hasn't put his best foot forward yet. I'm hoping he can put the greenness, and all of that behind him to put in a good effort here, and if he does that, then this is a race he should be winning. But if it doesn't happen, we might have to take a different approach with him. We'll see what comes this weekend.
