IT POURED down and if I had had any sense at all I would not have got involved. But I was far too fresh after my holiday and had to get stuck in.
Things did not start too badly, as I played against the front two in the first race and was rewarded with a winner in Able Baker Charlie, who was finally repaying me for his defeat in last year’s Royal Hunt Cup.

I didn’t really fancy him on this ground and I don’t think he actually liked it that much, but he was given a very good ride by Johnny Murtagh, who dictated at a steady, sensible pace, which meant he did not have to ask his horse to do anything too quickly which all the others seemed to do.

Murtagh certainly had it a lot easier in the next race where Musicanna sluiced through the mud and positively revelled in the conditions. This horse is a real Fanshawe special and I expect to see her doing well this autumn - a time that is usually the trainer’s best period of the year~ The changing ground was apparently the reason for



Lafi rifting in the Hong Kong Jockey Club sprint, but despite the fears he ran an absolute blinder and if he were to get anything like a draw I would think he will be a good thing in the Stewards’ Cup.

The six furlongs will help him on that easier track as he was really staying on over this stiff five and was almost certainly on a slower part of the track than the winner Corridor Creeper, who I believe is better over this trip.

The penalty plus the extra furlong will make it difficult for Corridor Creeper on Saturday and I believe Lafi will turn the form around.

The rains are supposed to come again midweek but that will be less of a problem than another middle draw which is the only thing that would stop him for my money.
I had been seriously impressed with Silent Times at York and have been very impressed with the way John Fretwell has been running his new operation.