The release of the entries for the Tattersalls Autumn Sales at the end of October as always adds a dimension for punters as there will be an assurance that all those entered will be looking to increase their auction price in races between now and the start of the sales.
As we anticipated the group of disappointing 4yo geldings from the extended ‘Class of 2026’ that largely received reports of ‘could do better’ feature prominently in the catalogue with around 40 current Somerville Lodge in mates potentially moved on. A few may earn a reprieve in the next 30 days but I suspect, Australia, Asia, jumping around Ireland or cold winter nights in Newcastle await most.
The sales list includes the following geldings aged 4 or older – Wiltshire, Divine Knight,Arabian Force, Eternal Force, High Degree, Sharp Move, Power Fizz, Crown of Oaks, Scoville, Crown Office and First Principle.
There are few surprises in the overall Somerville Lodge consignee list. Only the 3yo Matins after his impressive 5L Epsom win and remarkable leniency from the handicapper who left him on a mark of 95, he is highly likely to be withdrawn.
The 3yo Venetian Lion is also entered after his defeat at Kempton. The only AW right handed track it has a habit of throwing up shock results when there is no pace. Unfortunately this is what happened on Wednesday and as a result he pulled to hard and had no chance of making up the ground when the leaders finally quickened the pace inside the final 2f. He will get another chance before the sales to win again.
Many of the others put up for sale across all ages, in my eyes come with the tag ‘not totally straight forward’ and it is no surprise they are being moved on.
On Friday one of the 3yo’s the hugely disappointing Princling and the 6yo Wiltshire race with a view to increasing their sales price.
Fridays thoughts – Princling 3.00 Ascot
It seems a long time ago that Princling was priced up as the Ante-Post market leader for the London Gold Cup at Newbury. He was withdrawn at the final declaration stage and aimed at the Silver Bowl instead.
That was called off due to the drain issues at Haydock and although he took his chance in the rearranged running of the race at Carlisle it appears as though the disruption to his campaign created issues that he has never recovered from. He disappointed in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot when he looked awkward in the finish but then was completely out of sorts at Newmarket where he ran really poorly for a horse of his potential.
He has been subsequently gelded but his appearance in the Tattersalls Autumn Sales catalogue suggests he is not going to be the horse once thought likely. The continued fast ground at the track is also a negative as he looked to struggle under those conditions at the Royal meeting and at Newmarket.
Based on his homework before the London Gold Cup he would have picked up this field and eaten it for breakfast. I suspect many will keep the faith and give him another chance but I have been bitten too many times this season by the ‘not entirely straight forward’ types among the 3 and 4yo’s with similar ratings and I cannot bring myself to back him. He has been put in as 3/1 which is very short.
Wiltshire – Another Abbot 4.10 Ascot
Wiltshire when he won the AW Sprint Final at an advised 20/1 basically insured another profitable year for me – his performances since have got worse race by race and he has completely lost his way. He won the Newcastle race of a mark of 96 but despite being beaten over 135L in his three subsequent races he is still on a mark of 100. Hopefully he will show at least some desire to race on Friday, before his date in the sales ring – the 14/1 opening show is not generous
In the same Ascot race at 4.10 he is joined by stable mate Another Abbot . He has been much more consistent this season, winning on two occasions. The step Into the Class 2 company he faces on Friday has always proven to be beyond him and I don’t see that changing. The 17/2 opening price is only fair and I will watch the contest to see the impact of the draw ahead of the big 7f race on Saturday
Finally at Ascot a horse with a big future for Somerville Lodge Infraad reappears in the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at 3.35. A hugely impressive winner of the Melrose Stakes at York he has been wisely given a break after what is always a very tough race for developing 3yo’s.
Two of the last five winners who won the Melrose have gone onto win the Noel Murless. The other three all finished last
The 2024 Melrose winner Table talk was last of five in the Noel Murless. In 2023 Middle Earth completed the double for John Gosden, in 2022 Valley Forge was last of six in the Noel Murless. Ghostwatch was the next to attempt and complete the double in 2018. Dark Crusader attempted the double in 2013 but was also last of six in the Noel Murless.
Infraad will be the first of the 4 Melrose winners trained by Haggas to feature in the Noel Murless, which looks highly significant as the race was immediately nominated as his next target after winning at York. Haggas, rarely contests the race and although he won it with Harris Tweed in 2010 when it was ran at Newmarket, subsequently his only 4 runners have finished 2nd, 3rd ( twice) and 5th.
It looks likely that Infraad will be odds on but he is expected to extend his winning sequence before stepping up to Group company as a 4yo.
In the Prix Dahlia the 3.38 at Saint Cloud Mikel Barcelona is a very interesting jockey booking for Rhapsody in a race dominated by UK based runners. This a race where earning Black Type is as important as winning and I find them in general poor betting opportunities.
Hopefully she can start the weekend in France with s bold showing.
The final runner on the afternoon is the very frustrating and inconsistent Darzah in the Wolverhampton 5.25. This looks an impossible race to solve where despite there being only 5 runners there are many imponderables and it is a race to watch on a day which Infraad aside looks tricky.
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