Last Wednesday followers were advised that there was reason to believe that the William Haggas runners were running below form and I would not be backing any runners until more encouraging signs were seen. That proved the right decision. Unfortunately from the point of view of the up coming Newmarket July meeting, nothing has changed and the No Bet policy continues until at least next Thursday.
After a very poor day for the yard on Saturday, which was only partially rescued by the victory of the stable stalwart Al Aasy at 4/9 on, the overall feeling is that all is still not right at Somerville Lodge.
There are only very moderate horses entered at minor meetings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but hopefully they will finish off their races far better than the Saturday runners. Conditions at Newmarket on Saturday gave a huge advantage to horses that ran close to the pace. Thunder Call is on the radar as a next possible bet on the July Course on Thursday.
Next weekend features meetings on Friday and Saturday at Newmarket, York and Ascot with several of the best horses in the yard due to run including More Thunder in the Summer Mile at Ascot. Hopefully, we can back a few with confidence.
Saturdays runners reviewed:
Klassleader, was the biggest disappointment, smashed in the betting into 11/10 he never travelled and was beaten after 2f. Any excuses made for the run are irrelevant as at no stage was he running with any enthusiasm.
There was never any real explanation for the decision to run him and the change of plan away from going straight to the Ebor. I wouldn’t dismiss him from the big York Handicap back on a track on which he has proven form and over a trip that will suit him.
He joins Eternal Force and High Degree who could still comeback in the late summer and early autumn and win major handicaps. All three found themselves well off the pace on their last outings and were unable to get themselves into challenging positions.
Elmonjed was odds on in the Group 3 at Deauville performed marginally better but was still well beaten in 3rd and never looked likely to win.
Sea Force ran ok in the big handicap, after being given plenty to do, but I didn’t like his head carriage when asked for maximum effort and he will probably take up his place in the sales on Thursday.
The 2yo Upper Asset came in for support at Beverley but was predictably still too green to get involved in the finish and plugged on to be 5th.
Finally Palace Artois had probably his last run for the yard at Nottingham, when finding little under pressure finishing in 4th place.
More Thunder expected to shine in next Saturdays Summer Mile at Ascot
Chrysalis Consortium 
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