The forecast of at least some rain at Ascot and the potential of genuine good ground has boosted the prospects of Almeraq completing a Group 1 hat trick this season on Saturday.
The likes of Opportunity, More Thunder, Lilt and Crown of Oaks, among others will join the stable star at Ascot on Champions Day but there is no doubt, the impressive Betfair Sprint winner, will be the main focus of attention from a potential punting perspective this week.
In the lead up to the big Ascot card on Saturday it looks very likely to be a mixed week. Most runners will be looking to boost their sales price at this months Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training sales or gaining experience for next season.
Born this Way started the week with a classy performance on debut albeit in a weak maiden at Yarmouth. He was able to win under hands and heels riding.
As often is the case the market support close to the off for the Haggas horse was mirrored by a big drift on the unraced Gosden newcomer who had been joint favourite when the markets opened. Born this Way will head into the winter as a potential 90+ rated performer as a 3yo.
On Tuesday another 2yo, the sole runner New Years Eve runs in the Class 2yo Leicester novice stakes over a 8f at 3.04. On her debut at Haydock she ran in the style of most Somerville Lodge debutants, green early but then showing promise running on well in the final stages. She will be short enough based on that but is a filly that will need 12f in time and will be susceptible to a 2yo rival with more speed.
On Wednesday a team of 4 head to Nottingham and Art Lover who has had no luck at all this season returns to Kempton.
First up is Adamlyi in the Nottingham Class 4 maiden over 1m at 1.54, who was very highly regarded in the Spring but has had issues since disappointing. The market will be the big guide to his chances in a race that has more quantity than quality.
In the 2yo novice stakes over 8f at 2.29 Avowed is the first son of Stradivarius to represent Somerville Lodge and as such is likely to need more time to develop and distances of 12f plus.
That comment applies to Sharp Move in the 2m handicap at 15.39. Unfortunately after winning impressively at Newcastle as a 3yo he has been very disappointing looking reluctant to go the early pace and then slow in the final stages, this is probably his final outing before his appearance in the Autumn sales.
Finally at Nottingham – Magic Box showed a semblance of some form for the first time this season but she will need to improve again fitted with first time cheek pieces to get a first win of the season. Back on the turf in the 8f Class 5 handicap at 4.14 she is turned out quickly in advance of the Autumn Sales in a couple of weeks time.
Art Lover is the 3rd runner of the 5 on the day booked into the Autumn Sales and he has been very unfortunate not to win this season. Opportunities for him before the sale are running short and he steps up in grade to contest a Class 2 Sprint Series final at Kempton. He will again run will from a better draw and if first time blinkers bring about the improvement needed to go close. I am loathed to bet at this track with a constant doubt about the pace and I see nothing here to change my stance.
The only entry on Thursday is Al Qayed who unlike many of his young stablemates has shown good progression for each of his three outings.
He is entered in the 1m novice stakes the 6.00 Southwell alongside probably the best bred colt in racing Entrust by Dubawi out of Enable. It will be a great watch and unless Entrust has been burning up the Newmarket gallops – Al Qayed, who himself is bred in the purple, being by Baaeed out of a Frankel mare, is likely to be the market leader.
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