Runner News

The second day of July brings with it a couple of notable firsts. Up at Hamilton we’ve a two-year-old debutante for the Kevin Ryan team while down at Stratford Archie Watson saddles two, including a runner making his first start over fences.

Cape Sovereign, pictured above at the breeze-up sales in Ireland, gets the ball rolling six-furlong two-year-old maiden at Hamilton. Cape is drawn in stall four with Tom Eaves booked to take the ride.

We have a great record from the breeze-up sales and Cape has been in good shape of late at Hambleton Lodge. His homework has pleased Kevin and he has handled going away for a stronger piece of work nicely, showing a good attitude to what is asked for him.

Kevin feels he is ready to gain this initial experience and is hopeful that he can be competitive despite it looking a pretty warm contest.

Simply Blue, a £180,000 yearling, sets the form standard after a good second at Leicester, where he lost out by just a nose. The son of Blue Point was just denied in a race full of expensive recruits and looks a ready-made winner of maiden soon.

However, as well as ourselves, he’ll face some very interesting proposition, not least Sealine, a half-brother to a Group 1 performer and Urban Sky, one of the more expensive yearlings sold by Belardo last year having fetched €80,000, suggesting he’ll be a stunning model in the paddock.

Polling Day is our second runner of the day, in the first division of the Maiden Hurdle (5:05) at Stratford, where he’ll be partnered by Nick Schofield.

After a fall first time out he’s been doing plenty of schooling and Archie hopes he’s capable of running well and getting involved if he can hurdle more fluently this time

On the face of things, the horse to beat could be Cusano, who has earned prize money on all three starts so far.

Another to respect is Green Machine, sent off a red-hot favourite when last seen in action on the level last year. Plenty of water has flowed under the bridge since then but the form he achieved in his two Flat runs to date suggests he’ll have the requisite stamina and ability to play a big role.

Our final runner of the day is Walkingoneggshells, who makes his chasing debut in the 0-120, two miles and about three Handicap Chase (8.10), also at Stratford. One of seven runners, he’ll also be partnered by Nick Schofield.

Wally has been in good shape at Saxon Gate and has looked accomplished in his schooling in Lambourn, so Archie is hoping for a positive start from him over the larger obstacles.

Nibras Gold, second on his recent chasing debut, looks the horse to beat. He largely jumped well at Ffos Las and was bang there at the finish. With that experience behind him, the six-year-old seems sure to give a good account.

Chess Player, a course and distance winner on his only previous course start, has been running well of late and if able to find a bit for the return to Stratford looks sure to play a major role.

We’d like to take this chance to wish all owners the very best of luck with their runners on Tuesday.