AZURE ALL SET FOR YORK CLIP
I ALWAYS say that York signals the proper start of the Flat season. I love riding on the Knavesmire and have always enjoyed my fair share of luck there over the years. Fingers crossed that can continue next week.
AZURE BLUE is set to make her seasonal reappearance in the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes. We took her to Thirsk for a racecourse gallop and she seems in good nick.
Michael Dods has touched on the reasons why she has been absent since the July Cup and it is no secret we expect her to improve for York.
She knew exactly why she was at Thirsk – she proper woke up and was ready to go when we took her off the horsebox – and the visit should have brought her forward.
I will be at Piercebridge early today for her final gallop prior to York.
I also have STATION X for Bryan Smart (right). He ran second on his debut at Musselburgh.
I sat on him on Tuesday and he has come forward since that race. It looks a competitive novice at York – there are some fancy entries – but we’ll be there having a go.
I was a little disappointed with NORTHERN EXPRESS in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, but the ground was soft enough.
When I wanted to get out and work some room, it took him forever to pick up, which isn’t really his style. We’ll head to York – he loves it there – so we are hoping for better.
TODAY’S HAYDOCK RIDES
JOHNNY RINGO (2.10) is the pick. I rode him on debut at Musselburgh last September and he’s improved with every run since then. He contested a hot race on his handicap debut – the winner Ice Max is now rated 109 – and I’d imagine that he’ll improve for that comeback run.
ROARING RALPH (2.45) is drawn wide on his first start since October, while CONTINUANCE (5.00) drops back in distance on his second start for Martin Keighley.
THE WEEKLY WATCHLIST
Musselburgh last Friday was a thoroughly good day at the office, with a treble in the first three races courtesy of Circus Lion, Kelpie Grey and Zaphea.
Fawzi Nass is a massive supporter of the game, and his CIRCUS LION took a marked step up from his juvenile efforts when making all in the five-furlong maiden.
His dam was an unraced half-sister to the smart Group Two winner Tis Marvellous, so clearly there is plenty of speed in the pedigree.
The handicapper has been quite fair by awarding him an opening mark of 80, so I’d be hopeful that he can continue to progress.
■ Paul Mulrennan was talking to Mark Rowntree.
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