The start of the year judged by the bare results and low strike rate suggests all is not going to plan at Somerville Lodge. The topsy turvy performance levels continued over the weekend. There were three very encouraging runs from Bintsaleh, Waheedd and especially Arabian Force at Longchamp (unlucky not to win) but the horse that was very strongly fancied to collect on Sunday evening Sea Force disappointed, and extended the winless period to 10 days.
Although looking too fresh (was taken down to post early) then seemingly buffeted around by the strong headwind Sea Force never really looked likely to win. That being said even if running to his best, it is doubtful if he would have beaten the winner Nocha Classica who is a fast improving filly to follow.
After the brilliant win of Wiltshire advised at 20/1, the next two horses expected to win Dramatic Star for our 230/1 advised double and Sea Force, have not shown up. This though is really nothing out of the ordinary and with a majority of runners in April looking to be better for the run, I am certain it will business as usual in the weeks ahead. However, I am not anticipating a glut of winners this week, although there are 4 runners at Newmarket on Wednesday.
The Feilden Stakes features the appearance of what may turn out to be a rare Epsom Derby contender for Somerville Lodge in Morshdi.
Since his Derby success in 1996 with Shaamit who won the Blue Riband event on the back of a 1m maiden win at Doncaster, the previous November, Haggas has tended to shy away from this race. He has stated that he blames the horses lack of further success on having a rushed preparation for Epsom and it impacted negatively on the remainder of his career.
Even when presented with a golden opportunity with the ill feted Dante winner Economics he declined the opportunity and waited for the colt to develop and won his Group 1 in the Autumn of 2024.
By running Morshdi in Tuesday’s Fielden Stakes he is leaving the door slightly ajar for Epsom. My interpretation of the reports is that Maltese Cross the other potential Derby contender maybe slightly better and he misses Newmarket to head for Newbury.
The race has cut up with only 7 of the 18 entries declared to run. However 3 of those are rated 105 + which is a rating that Morshdi will need to show considerable improvement to reach. As a bet it is not tempting me in.
Realign a horse to follow this summer…
In the Spring of 2025 following a third placed finish as a 2yo behind the 2024 top rated 2yo Shadow off Light , aspirations were that Realign could be a Commonwealth Cup horse such was the extent of his natural speed.
After he won on his 3yo debut at Salisbury in May 2025 by 5.5 lengths as a 1/3 favorite, it was clear the talent remained – but lack of experience was a concern.
- William Haggas (via Stable Rep):“He did exactly what was expected of him. He’s a sharp colt who has a lot of natural speed, and he put the race to bed very quickly once asked. It was a good educational experience for him before we look at bigger targets.”
He hadn’t matured either physically and mentally quite enough to tackle those lofty heights and from what looked an attractive handicap mark of 93 was sent to contest Class 2 handicaps.
That immaturity, was still his undoing, following what was a very disappointing run in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot (9th of 24 sent off 7/2 market leader) and a subsequent run at Newmarket, the decision was made to geld the horse.
Following the operation – Realign returned to form with a dominant 1.5-length win under Cieren Fallon at Haydock on a mark of 87. He was put into the Ante-Post betting for the race as high as 14/1 eventually winning with ease as the 15/8 favourite. Post race quotes confirmed the high standing with which the colt was still held.
- Cieren Fallon (Jockey):“He gave me a really nice feel today. The gelding operation seems to have done him the world of good; he was much more professional and travelled into the race strongly. He handled the ease in the ground perfectly.”
- William Haggas (Post-race):“We were very pleased with that. He’s a horse we’ve always liked, but he lost his way a bit mid-summer. He’s back on track now and seems to be a much more straightforward horse to deal with.”
Somewhat surprisingly he had a final race at the Doncaster November meeting finishing 7th of 22 in a competitive sprint on very heavy ground back on a mark of 93. James Doyle looked after him that day and he was very much ridden with the 2026 campaign in mind.
On Wednesday he lines up for the 6f Class 2 Ventour Handicap at Newmarket the race won last year by More Thunder on seasonal debut. As was the case with More Thunder he also has an entry in the Class 2 Heritage Handicap over the same trip on 2,000 Guineas day.
He looks to have strengthened up over the Winter and with the forecast Good ground ideal he will take a great deal of beating on Wednesday.
Double Rush rates a big danger now in training with Andrew Balding and he won at this meeting last season. The pair are drawn side by side in 11 and 12 and this may well turn out to be the first of several big handicaps they contest in the months ahead leading to the Wokingham at Royal Ascot.
Realign is in the market at a price of around 5/1 (likely to shorten) – I rate him as probably the best runner from Somerville Lodge over the 3 days of the Craven meeting and he merits an investment.
All the yards older aged sprinters Power Fizz, Wiltshire and Montassib have ran very well, this season, but with the yard yet to hit peak form and with 4 places available It makes sense to go each way.
The team of four from Somerville Lodge at Newmarket on Wednesday is completed by the fillies Darzah and Sliver Lake in the 4.45 . Both are really well bred . Darzah is by Dubawi from an extremely successful bloodline produced by one of the yards highly successful owner breeders Yvonne Jacques.
Silver Lake is a Wathnan owned Night of Thunder filly who looks sure to be better for her second outing.
Recommended Bets
Realign 1pt EW 5/1 (1-4 places) 1.50 Newmarket Wednesday.
Chrysalis Consortium 
Leave a comment