Saturday Review

Despite his connections expressing reservations about the drying ground, Bunting was heavily supported before the Cesarewitch Handicap on Saturday and ran well in third. Advised at 12/1 in the Autumn Update, the five year old didn't help himself by racing keenly early on, plus he received a hefty bump during the first half of the contest. However, when pulled out approaching the two marker, I thought we were in business with William Buick's mount seemingly full of running. Beaten three and a half lengths, he would have finished closer had the Tony Bloom owned runner settled better during the early exchanges. The selections in the Update have fared well with Boiling Point (advised @ 16/1) winning the Cambridgeshire, Minnie Hawk (advised @ 5/1) was denied by a head in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe and Bunting (advised @ 12/1) was placed in the second leg of the Autumn double. 

As discussed, I was working at York on Saturday and William Haggas and Tom Marquand dominated the card with a treble, including Division (Listed Rockingham Stakes) and Binhareer (Coral Sprint) taking the feature events. The former has won three out of four and is an exciting prospect for races as the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes and Group 1 Commonwealth Cup next year. The latter had run well from an unfavourable draw in the Silver Cup and picked up strongly to win going away. Rated 89 beforehand, he will be nearer 100 following his decisive success. Old favourite Northern Ticker travelled powerfully and looked the most likely winner entering the final furlong. Michael Dods' runner sat close to a strong early gallop and his effort petered out in the closing stages. The three year old looks well worth a try over five furlongs next season and remains a promising young sprinter. Following his treble, William Haggas was the leading trainer at York for 2025. 

With over 5,500 students from Leeds, Sheffield and York Universities swelling the crowd on a beautiful Autumn afternoon, it was a pleasure to be on the Knavesmire for their final fixture. It was a good opportunity to catch up with a few jockeys and trainers. I spoke to David O'Meara and he reported stable star and Top 40 entry Estrange on course to line up in the Group 1 Qipco Champions Fillies & Mares at Ascot next Saturday (18th October). Ruled out of the Arc due to a dirty scope (plus the widest draw wouldn't have helped), she is in good form now and a bold showing is anticipated. 

I suggest keeping an eye out for the unraced juvenile Cryingintherain who was withdrawn from her intended debut at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening. Trained by Ollie Sangster, the daughter of Havana Grey was expected to go close at the Midlands track. Viewed as a better prospect than stablemate Birdcall who won impressively at Nottingham earlier in the week, she is one for the notebook.

It was day two at Chepstow and Ammes maintained the unbeaten record of Changing Codes in OJA when making it two out of two in the juvenile hurdle which opened proceedings. James Owen's charge had won nicely at Sedgefield on his hurdles bow eleven days earlier and he made short work of his nine opponents here defying his penalty in the process. The 90 rated Flat racer jumped slickly and had the race in safe keeping soon after the third last. It will be interesting to see if he heads to Wetherby for the Listed Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (30th October) next before a crack at the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham's November meeting. 

Finally, thank you to all those clients who purchased One Jump Ahead and the Updates over the weekend - those orders will be posted on Monday. Sales continue to thrive and we now have less than 200 copies in stock. Your continued support is very much appreciated.