PADDOCK PICKS

Andrew Ayres was impressed by a debutante at Windsor

Andrew Ayres draws our attention to future winners

WINDSOR April 15 (good) 5f two-year-old fillies’ novice (Class 5)

ABOVE AVERAGE RACE FOR THE TIME OF YEAR DR SIMPSON (Tom Dascombe) is a strong, well made filly who came here with a big reputation. She missed the kick, but was soon in the thick of the action and kept on well to chase home the highly rated Lambeth Walk. Connections were more than satisfied with this debut and she’s an above average early season juvenile.

LINGFIELD April 19 (standard) 7f fillies and mares’ stakes (Class 2)

HOT RACE ISLAND OF LIFE (William Haggas) was trained to the minute and might have collected but for a moderate tactical ride from James Doyle. She’s equally effective on turf so could pinch a Listed race before the big guns come out to play.

SALISBURY April 29 (good-firm) 1m4f three-year-old maiden (Class 4)

RACE THAT LACKED DEPTH KIEFER (Eve Johnson-Houghton) still looked backward and wasn’t knocked about to finish a distant second. He went on to win a competitive handicap at Newbury in mid-May and has the makings of a smart stayer. He’s bred to be useful – half-brother to the Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer – and should be followed.

ASCOT May 1 (good-firm, good in places) 2m Group 3 (Class 1)

IMPRESSIVE WINNER DEE EX BEE (Mark Johnston) looked in tip-top condition and won this readily despite running lazily under William Buick. He was never stronger than at the line and will appreciate an extra half-mile in the Ascot Gold Cup. He’s thrived from three to four and is going to take some beating over a distance of ground.

5f handicap (Class 4)

HOTLY CONTESTED RACE INDIAN RAJ (Stuart Williams) attracted support on this return from a lengthy break and was a massive eye-catcher in fourth. He wasn’t hard fit, had a mountain to climb after being held-up in rear and will be difficult to beat next time.

GOODWOOD May 4 (good, goodto-firm in places) 1m4f fillies and mares’ Listed (Class 1)

FRONT TWO PULLED CLEAR ENBIHAAR (John Gosden) is a magnificent looking filly and absolutely floated to post. Dane O’Neill gave her a canny ride from the front and was always holding the market leader Klassique. She’ll stay much further than this and is nailed on to win a Group race.

1m2f three-year-old handicap (Class 5)

ORDINARY EVENT LONDON EYE (Sir Michael Stoute) drifted like a barge but looked in fine shape and would have won but for Pat Dobbs falling asleep halfway up the straight. He’s clearly well treated and will surely win a race or two this summer.

NEWMARKET May 5 (good) 1m4f handicap (Class 2)

FAIR FORM CORELLI (John Gosden) has done well over the winter and ran a cracking race to finish second under a clever frontrunning ride. He’ll strip sharper for this, will stay further and could develop into a Melrose Handicap horse by late summer.

6f handicap (Class 2)

COMPETITIVE EVENT GUNMETAL (David Barron) thrived for this shrewd yard in 2018 but looked a tad burly on his return from a lengthy break. Bearing that in mind, the gelding shaped with real promise in fifth and should pick-up a decent handicap somewhere this summer.

5f two-year-old maiden (Class 3)

SMALL BUT USEFUL FIELD PATH OF THUNDER (Charlie Appleby) unusually for a breeze-up purchase was green to post and looked clueless

through the early stages. He moved into contention at halfway and shaped with much more promise than his finishing position suggests. This stocky colt is guaranteed to improve significantly and will win races.

FONTWELL May 8 (good) 2m1f110y maiden hurdle (Class 4)

POOR RACE ICONIC MUDDLE (Gary Moore) looks the part and attracted quiet support at fancy prices. He was never put into the race with any intent by Josh Moore, but flew home late in the day to nab second spot and could have won under a more aggressive ride. This yard knows the time of day and he’ll pay his way.

ASCOT May 10 (soft) 5f two-year-old fillies’ maiden (Class 4)

FAIR FORM STAR ALEXANDER (Clive Cox) was heavily backed near the off but definitely looked in need of the outing. She was too green to get involved, but shaped well to finish third and will be a different proposition next time.

6f three-year-old handicap (Class 4)

ORDINARY RACE FOR THE TRACK APLOMB (William Haggas) looked as fit as a flea and would have won but for Colm O’Donoghue getting stuck behind a wall of horses as the pace lifted. He’ll stay further, is handily treated and should win a decent handicap.

ASCOT May 11 (good-soft) 7f handicap (Class 2)

HOT RACE RAISING SAND (Jamie Osborne) looked big and burly on this return from a 203-day break and ran a blinder to finish fourth. He’s got a cracking record on this track and must run well in the Hunt Cup at the Royal Meeting.

WINDSOR May 13 (good-soft) 1m2f novice (Class 5)

MODEST RACE SKERRYVORE (James Fanshawe) is a big, handsome, backward looking gelding who shaped well in fourth under a quiet ride from Danny Muscutt. He’s from a decent family and will win when moved into handicaps.

BATH May 15 (firm) 1m3f110y novice (Class 4)

FAIR FORM MOGHRAM (Marcus Tregoning) still looked a bit backward and ran green before keeping on well to nab second. Jockey Dane O’Neill reported the colt learnt plenty during the race and he’s on the road to being a decent handicapper.

SALISBURY May 16 (good-firm) 5f two-year-old novice (Class 4)

ABOVE AVERAGE EVENT SYMBOLIZE (Andrew Balding) was reported to be working well at home but got increasingly colty in the prelims (bizarrely he was walked round between two fillies). He did nothing wrong once underway though, quickening sharply up the rail to win

decisively. He’s a smart sprinting juvenile and will not look out of place at Royal Ascot.

BORN TO DESTROY (Richard Spencer) was well touted before the race but was colty in the paddock and didn’t find much when asked to quicken. Connections were disappointed with this, but he’ll improve and is capable of better.

1m2f three-year-old novice (Class 5)

REASONABLE FORM ALIGNAK (Sir Michael Stoute) looked as big as a house for this reappearance but flew home for second and must be useful. He’ll stay further – dam was a top class middle-distance performer - and should win next time.

NEWBURY May 17 (good, goodfirm)

6f two-year-old maiden (Class 4) USEFUL FORM GOLDEN HORDE (Clive Cox) looked dry in his coat and a tad heavy to boot. That didn’t stop him being well bet and he would have gone close but for being hampered. He’s related to win

ning two-year-olds and is going to improve significantly for this. 7f three-year-old novice (Class 4)

IMPRESSIVE WINNER JUBILOSO (Sir Michael Stoute) looks more like a colt than a filly and absolutely hosed-up. She’s from a top draw family – dam is a half-sister to Frankel – has a cracking temperament and should win a Group race this summer.

1m2f three-year-old maiden (Class 4)

RACE RUN AT A DECENT CLIP LOGICIAN (John Gosden) is from a top-class family and was heavily bet despite being burly. He travelled strongly throughout and looked distinctly useful when quickening clear through the final furlong. He’ll be fitter and sharper next time and is a classy prospect.

ARABIST (John Gosden) was massively backward and carrying plenty of surplus condition. He’s entered in Group races but was way too backward to figure and deserves a pat on the back for finishing fifth. He’ll come on a ton for this and must be useful.

NEWBURY May 18 (good, goodfirm) 1m2f three-year-old handicap (Class 2)

RED HOT EVENT HEADMAN (Roger Charlton) is a massive, imposing individual who would be the paddock pick in any race. He boiled over on his reappearance here in April but was better behaved this time and travelled like a Group horse before clinging on to win in a tight finish. He’ll improve throughout the summer/autumn and is a class act.

GOOD BIRTHDAY (Andrew Balding) is a bonny looking colt and ran a cracker to finish third from a tricky draw. He’s hard as nails and will be even more effective when moved up in trip.

6f two-year-old stakes (Class 2)

COMPETITIVE RACE UNITED FRONT (Aidan O’Brien) faced a stiff task for a newcomer and looked colty and green in the prelims. He was easy to back but travelled keenly just behind the pace and kept on well to finish fourth in a messy finish. He’ll be sharper mentally next time and could be useful.