Haggas Week in Review

The immediate reaction after the dismal performance of the Somerville Lodge horses at Newmarket, York and Ascot on ‘Super Saturday’ was all was not well in the yard.

Following a period of due diligence it was apparent that the main issue was that several of the more fancied horses simply couldn’t cope with the lightening fast ground.

After the huge boost of Maltese Cross winning the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris on Tuesday it became easier to take a more considered approach to the past events and more importantly the racing over the weekend and then onto Ascot and Goodwood at the end of the month.

There were 11 runners on Friday and Saturday and it was very apparent that the 3 most talented would all need to run career bests to win and all 3 had a degree of doubt about whether that was possible on fast ground. Those two facts led to an obvious stance that they were not betting opportunities and the fast ground, as was the case last weekend, did indeed prove to be too quick.

Binhareer just couldn’t quicken off a steady pace, Manaar ran really well but couldn’t match the pace of Miss Scott. I thought James Doyle allowed Earth Shot to be bullied by the O’Brien horses, she didn’t get a clear passage and her run can be ignored. However, I very much doubt she will be asked to run again on fast ground.

For the two fillies that were running for Black Type the quick ground was not an issue, but both had a lot to do on ratings and were unlikely winners. They ran extremely well Rhapsody was 2nd and Orionis 3rd with both achieving their main objective of securing their status as Black Type placed fillies.

The 2yo debutants Next of Kin on Friday and Regalian along with Fast Performer on Saturday all ran well showing plenty of promise for the future.

On Friday we rightly chose not to head further into the mire with the perennial well backed losers High Degree and Luminaire and both duly came 2nd.

The only winner was Guesstimate who won her maiden at 13/8 when the odds on favourite failed to act on fast ground in a race that was in effect a match.

The decision to not bet over the two days was completely justified but all the horses performed with credit and confirmed that the well being of the yard is not in question.

I fully expect to see the yard regularly in the winners circle from now until the end of month with plenty of opportunities throughout the next 14 days.

REFA July 2026.

Stable stalwart Hamish suffered an injury at Goodwood and may have ran his last race – fingers crossed he responds to treatment and we see him again.