Mazzini to make his mark under winning Wood
JOCKEY George Wood made headlines at the weekend and can secure another decent pot with Mazzini in the Barentsz Gin Challenge Handicap at Chelmsford.
While not in the realms of the Listed win Wood enjoyed for Luca Cumani on God Given on Saturday, there is still £25,000 on offer in a competitive sprint.
Wood certainly did not look out of place against far more experienced jockeys in the finish at Newmarket and his 3lb claim looks a huge advantage.
Mazzini went close two starts back over this course and distance when second behind Udontdodou when ridden by Wood and he went up 1lb for that.
The winner, who he meets again here, races off 6lb higher, though, and Mazzini only has a length and three-quarters to make up.
Also in his favour is that trainer James Fanshawe has reached for first time cheekpieces.
That might be because last time out at Newcastle on Plate day he played up a little bit in the paddock and needed to be mounted on the course, but he still was not disgraced behind the smart Unabated.
Kevin Ryan is back among the winners after a difficult season and his Stormbringer can build on a pleasing debut.
He reappears in the Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum Novice Stakes against a few previous winners.
Well backed on his debut, he gave the smart Another Batt a race at Ayr but his lack of experience showed.
An expensive buy, connections will soon be wanting a return on their investment.
William Haggas’ Important Mission won what could turn out to be a decent maiden in good style and he is fancied to defy top weight in the Coca Cola Zero Sugar Challenge Handicap.
Having looked no great shakes on debut, the £175,000 purchase beat a promising type into second at Newcastle and the third has come out and won since.
Being by More Than Ready, it is no surprise Haggas is keeping his gelding to the all-weather.
If Tom Dascombe’s Ginbar replicates his debut performance at Chester in the Watch Racing UK With Free Trial Now Novice Auction Stakes at Nottingham it should be good enough to win.
He did not make use of the best draw on the Roodee, but still only went down narrowly to a horse who had been to Royal Ascot.
Rhosneigr threw away his chance of victory last time out by veering badly right, but if Charlie Hills has ironed out his kinks he should take some stopping in the Download The Free At The Races App Novice Stakes at Ffos Las.