I am a big fan of Ektihaam and always have been. Lets hope he stays on his feet this time and shows his potential.

Newmarket July Meeting Paddock Notes

Hot weather and firm ground for the three days. 6mm was added on the Thursday and Friday evenings but although the horses were taking the top off the surface it did not stop course records being set.

Thursday 11^th July:

Feel Like Dancing has done well since being noted in the Blog at Newbury. Dare To Achieve has made great strides but ran too free. Trainer Willie Haggas was not happy with the ride from Hughes. Jathabah had made good progress at Newbury before the Ballymacoll and confirmed it with a bold display here.

I noted Anjaal in my Guineas Blog and he has done well and took the July Stakes. Hannon was talking the Dewhurst afterwards – ambitious stuff. Figure of Speech is a good sort who still carried condition. He may have been unlucky. Intermath should go well in Nursery’s.

Universal looked very fit and well as usual and got a soft lead. Wigmore Hall had been very sick after his run in May and it reflected here as he had lost muscle tone.

The Johnston trained Maputo looked Group material and he bolted up. Tarikhi was the part again but will not achieve Group status if he continues to pull too hard. This needs to be sorted or he will never fulfil his potential. Red Avenger confirmed Blog inclusion by finishing second in this top handicap.

Oriel looked fine but disappointed. Qawaasem is a well made sort typical of the stamp favoured by Hamdan. She will progress. Valonia was only 5,500 Guineas and looks a steal at that price. This was no fluke. Amnesia was 180,000 Guineas and should go some way to contributing to the fee. Manderley is better than her running and could be Nursery material.

Montiridge was touted as an Irish Guineas contender earlier in the Spring and improving at a rate, will step up from this Listed win. Ashdan was no match but turned out in excellent nick.

Friday 12^th July:

Rizeena looked to have grown and strengthened but was fretful in the pre parade and main paddocks and was led by 2 lads. The 3lb penalty did not help and hopefully she will return and reflect her potential.

Elusive Kate has come of age and was the pick for the Falmouth. Last year Giofra was the pick for this race but not this time. Sky Lantern was in perfect order but just gave best on looks to the older horse.

Ninjago is putting on condition and may prefer a return to Ascot. Barracuda Boy may have finished down the field but I refuse to write him off. He repeatedly took the eye. The form of his York third was fully franked here.

In the Maiden the favourite True Story was in supreme condition and waltzed up. Some typical backward sorts with loads of potential include Mantonize, Postponed, Good Value and Rock 'N' Roll Star.

Vermont looked good and was touted but failed to shine. I assume Luca is going the handicap route. A definite project. Phaenomena and Gold Medal are now ready for handicaps and should get 78 and 70 respectively. Toast of The Town was in good order but did not stretch to post.

Saturday 13^th July:

Jammy Guest was put up 12lb for his Jersey effort which scuppered him here. He is more imposing now and he too may do better on an easier surface.

Nothing stood out for the Group 2 Superlative Stakes and I would give Washaar another chance.

Es Que Love franked Blog confidence with another bold display. He lost a shoe at Ascot when running off 96 and missing me the punt. He was touched off here off a mark of 101. My old mucker Burwaaz was in good trim and ran a cracking race to finish seventh. He is now on 97 and could be a big number in one of the top sprint handicaps.

Gale Force Ten was the pick for the July Stakes here last year and being by Oasis Dream was negated by the soft ground for most of the season. As soon as he got decent ground he ran a corker in the Middle Park. Thereafter I had him marked for the July Cup. Solid displays in the French and Irish Guineas and a win in the Jersey only confirmed my confidence in him following the same path as Mozart in securing the Sprint Title. He fulfilled my every wish for him in the paddock and I could not be more happy. With Society Rock never having performed at HQ and Sole Power best at 5f that left only Lethal Force to take. However just like Toronado I was left wondering just what had had happened.

I dare say something will emerge but nothing will ease the feeling of being badly winded by the defeat. I went home in a daze.