APOLLO TO BLAST OFF
IT has been a busy week in which I’ve ridden three winners including Ertebat for Al Shaqab Racing at Pontefract on Wednesday.
He could be a well-handicapped horse because he missed the break and I had to switch him around rivals in the home straight and he was still able to win.
It’s nice to be involved at Newmarket today on what is a fantastic weekend for the sport.
AZURE BLUE (2.15) returns in the Listed EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes.
She’s done well physically over the winter and is in excellent form. We’re very happy with her, but obviously this is her first run of the year, so whatever happens she’ll improve.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to ride
APOLLO ONE (2.50)
in the Howden Handicap.
He finished eighth of 19 (from 3lb higher) in this race last year and wasn’t beaten far in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck are bullish so hopefully I can reward their support.
As for the 2,000 Guineas, I’m unwilling to look beyond the obvious and that Auguste Rodin will be yet another Classic winner for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.
You know he stays, he got the mile well as a two-year-old so he’s going to get it even better now as a three-year-old.
Tomorrow, for the 1,000 Guineas, Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra has looked exceptionally good in what she has done and if the rain arrives, she ticks all the boxes.
Meanwhile, spare a thought for the jump jockeys and all the other staff working with those horses.
The jumps season ended at Sandown last Saturday only to recommence again 48 hours later at Warwick and Kempton!
I don’t understand why racing as an industry is hell-bent on working everyone to the bone. Everyone, whatever their livelihood, requires some downtime and a well-earned break. Paul is sponsored by Racing TV – the home of British and Irish racing and the only place where you can watch every race from the Guineas meeting this weekend, as well as all the action from Naas, Leopardstown and Cork. Find out more at racingtv.com/join