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Spartan Warrior won here last time and I'm confident he'll handle the extra two furlongs. His mark went up 5lb and he gets a 6lb penalty so we're 1lb worse in but I'm not worried about that. It's not the greatest of races and the bit of rain they had overnight will only help him. Hopeful.

Sounds Of Havana is a Havana Grey filly bred by her owners the Cool Silk Partnership. We're looking forward to getting her on the track.

Holbrook makes his debut in a big field. He has shown ability on the gallops but as always it's hard to know what's in the field apart from those that have already shown form on the track.

Monomyth is quick and is quite nice. Whether that means he will cope with the experience of the favourite who ran so well at Newmarket is another matter.

Suspicion has been doing everything we could ask from him on the all-weather. Two questions, has the handicapper over- or under-estimated him at 86, and is anything else thrown in? We'll find out, but I have to be hopeful.

I like Pure Of Heart, an Awtaad filly who finished a close fourth on debut last year at Sandown under a not-too-exaggerated Jamie Spencer ride. He's back on board today and now he knows her, I'm hopeful, but then in these open novice fillies' races, you never know what to expect from the newcomers.

Spartan Warrior disappointed us last time at Windsor, never going a yard. We're trying cheek-pieces and dropping a furlong in trip. Hopefully, that will do the trick.

Running Queen made a promising start when 4th at Newbury. While she meets a couple of previous winners here, I think she has improved and should go very close.

It's a low-key stable debut for Change For Good who in a three-horse race meets Futurity runner-up Devil's Point at level weights, and has 17lb to make up on official ratings. Might be battling out for 2nd with the other runner from the Haggas stable and he won on debut so that won't be easy either.

Close to declaration time it looked like maybe seven or eight runners, but others also took that view. It was a roll of the dice really hoping to get some black type for her. Boann is badly drawn in 11, but if she did run okay, say just behind the places, we might look for something in France. I can't suggest she's in any way a bet - she's 50/1 - but hopefully, she might sneak a place.

Fancy Dancer shows ability and I expect him to run a nice race. There are several with promising track form and after his run at Newmarket, the Hannon horse might be hard to beat.

Lovestruck Romeo was a relatively inexpensive buy so qualifies for this Band 4 maiden. He goes okay but there seems to be plenty of confidence in Tom Dascombe's newcomer and he can get one ready. Place chances.

Spartan Warrior should enjoy going up in trip and I think he'll like the track. My worry is that it might be a little on the fast side for him, but it's raining here now and hopefully, Windsor will see some too. I would have preferred it if the Michael Bell horse hadn't been declared as he's the one for us all to beat.

Fondest Dream is a sharp daughter of Showcasuing. She will enjoy the conditions and from a nice draw she should be in amongst them. Could run into the frame.

Non-runner

Running Queen is a nice filly who should be sharp enough to run a good race. Whether that will be enough to win is another matter. From what I hear, there are a few fancied, and one in particular I'm told is a jet, so we'll see!

Per Contra won his first two races last year and we think he'll do well as a 3yo. He's a big horse and is unlikely to be suited to Wolverhampton, but he's rated 88 and cannot get into 0-85 races so we're limited for choice. Also, I would have preferred to start him at 10f and build up to this trip but again, options were limited.

Boann is a very quick filly, but one whose form is a bit patchy. Having had some time off she's meeting sprinters that have been around through the winter. Is she a bet? Possibly on this straight 5f where she's won before. Hopeful of a place and maybe better but there's that inconsistency to think about.

Suspicion deserves to be favourite. He seems to be a progressive horse and while he now carries a penalty for his win, I think he should have improved enough again to beat the two that were behind him on debut at Kempton last time. Hopeful.

Spartan Warrior has been gelded since his last race almost four months ago. He probably needs further but I'm hoping for some improvement this evening.

Non-runner

I'm not sure there's too much improvement in Dandy Sands and they seem to have his handicap mark just about right. The one thing in his favour tonight is that he's a small handy horse who might enjoy the tight, turning track.

We like Suspicion. He made a very promising debut over this CD  behind a Charlie Appleby Dubawi colt who easily followed up at Wolverhampton. I'm not delighted with the draw but he has the experience to overcome it. Very hopeful.

I don't really trust Lunar Rocks. From the stands last time she was an eye-catcher, staying on from a slow start over 1m2f and we're going further again as they should go a slower pace at 1m4f, but she's hardly bred to stay the trip. Also, I've changed the head-gear. She has the ability, so could go and win by a long way but as I said, I'm not confident she wants to.

Roberto Caro is no superstar, but he did show promise when 4th on debut at Windsor. That was a long time ago, though, and it's almost like starting again for him tonight. Probably more likely a place than a win candidate.

Floating Voter won at Wolverhampton last month but then disappointed at Southwell. That was his third quick run in a row, but today I'm changing the headgear as he wouldn't have blown out a candle after last week's race. He's a bit of a thinker, but if in the mood, he should get in the money.

Lunar Rocks eventually ran better last time, taking a long time for the penny to drop and then staying on well. She's of limited ability and quirky but if the blinkers work again, she should go very close.

Floating Voter did well to win first time in a handicap at Wolverhampton. He's up 5lb for that but we think there might be a little more than that in the tank. Hopeful of the follow-up.

Suspicion is quite a nice horse who would have been on the track much earlier but he had a setback and missed the summer. He'll probably be green and the outside draw is never ideal the first time, but I think he should have an each-way chance.

Lunar Rocks can be an awkward filly to deal with in the mornings and she hasn't condescended to show us what she is capable of in her three runs on the racecourse either. Her actual rating of 37 means she's 9lb wrong even in this low-grade handicap. Hoping the first-time blinkers encourage her to show something tonight.

Dandy Sands looked the likely winner coming to the final furlong on his stable debut over a mile at Kempton last time but just tired in the final 100 yards. If was a run full of promise and we're hopeful he can get the job done over a furlong shorter today.

Floating Voter ran easily his best race last time out around Kempton, up with the pace for a long way before tiring in the last furlong. He starts handicapping on a fair mark and with another furlong to travel and first-time blinkers he could go very close.

Dandy Sands ran easily his best of three races in Ireland on final start when switched to all-weather at Dundalk following a gelding operation. He has shown promise and hopefully, can finish in the money.

Floating Voter was always struggling from a wide draw at Wolverhampton and probably needed the run after a break during which time he was gelded. Expecting a better showing this evening but he has plenty to find with these.

Fram Castle found 7f around Lingfield too short but the way he stayed on from the back suggests a mile at Southwell will be more suitable. He's no star but could have each-way chances.

Floating Voter had a run in the summer and has since been gelded. He's no star, but in an ordinary novice, he could run into a place. I think he's probably over-priced.

Fram Castle was pretty clueless on debut. I'm expecting a much more polished effort today. Each-way chances.

Lunar Rocks has had a couple of runs and didn't improve much on her debut when beaten by a similar margin next time. She'll be better when able to run in handicaps.

Spartan Warrior will improve for the step up in trip, but he's a big horse and could find Wolverhampton rather tight, especially from his difficult draw. He'll be a mile and a half horse next year, but he could run into a place at a big price today.

Battle Of Omdurman probably needs further than today's sharp mile. His draw in 11 of 11 is hardly ideal either.

Operatic Artist delighted us with her win last time in first-time cheekpieces. Up  3lb for that, I have to be hopeful with an ideal draw and Oisin in the saddle.

Lunar Rocks made a modest debut from a poor draw last week. We will be hoping for improvement here but she is probably a filly that needs a mark.

Venerate has shown ability but we're starting her off against the colts and she might not be quite ready for that. I'll be happy if she finishes towards the front of middle tonight and from there we can look for an easier assignment next time.

Fram Castle makes his debut in a tough race for the grade. We would be delighted if he got in the first four this evening, but I'm not optimistic.

We're taking a roll of the dice with Cruise who has done really well in handicaps and it was a surprise to see such a big entry for this Listed race. Then she gets given the outside draw in a sprint at Lingfield! All we can hope is maybe a run in the middle as she goes to the sales in a couple of weeks.

We've had Louis Barthas for a couple of months and he shows ability. As ever on debut he needs to do everything right, especially at Kempton, but with a decent start he might be pushing for a place up the home straight.

Lunar Rocks has sometimes worked well, but not consistently and this is probably a minimum trip for her. Also, a draw in 10 of 12 around here, especially on debut, has to be a negative.

Operatic Artist improved a good deal on her first run for us since coming over from Ireland when 3rd here recently. Cheek-pieces and another furlong should both help her and I think she has a decent each-way chance.

Boann had a bad draw at Lingfield and could never get competitive, hating the kickback. She is better positioned tonight although 6f is as far as she wants to go.

Spartan Warrior has done plenty of work and goes nicely. This will be the minimum trip for him though and I would expect him to improve for going further in time.

Operatic Artist was disappointing on her first run for us but she needed it after coming over from Ireland. The drop back in trip will help her but I'm not convinced she's an all-weather filly.

Battle Of Obdurman was very green at Kempton. We had him in at Ffos Las two weeks ago and that track would have suited him as he's a big horse but the meeting was washed out. Bath might not be ideal but he has improved and had there been eight runners I would have suggested an each-way bet. He can run a nice race.

Kings Valley is a nice horse and if he can transfer his turf form to all-weather he would have a big chance. I hear the Godolphin horse is useful but no world-beater, but that still will make him a worry on debut. Hopeful.

Obviously, this is a big step up in class for Per Contra who has been beating vastly inferior opponents in his first two races to date. He will enjoy both going up in distance and the soft ground so I think he'll have a nice each-way squeak.

The 30 mils overnight will make the ground very testing at Newmarket and far different from the surface Shuwari raced on here in the Rockfel last time. It's another furlong today so I hope it doesn't turn into a slogging match. She did win on good to soft at Sandown and is clearly the one to beat on form, but it won't be easy.

Non-runner

Cahersiveen joined us from Ireland recently having had a couple of okay runs. He isn't over blessed with speed but 12f around the testing Pontefract track can bring out the best in him. It's a small field and while he has a bit to find on form, he could get in there pitching if the principals have any weakness at the trip.

Agostino Masucci has a nice pedigree but has been slow to come to himself and has already been gelded. He has plenty to learn still about racing but we hope he is motivated by getting to the racecourse.

Non-runner

Shuwari is in good form and goes to Newmarket with an excellent chance. I've nothing to compare her with though and would have liked to have run her once more after Sandown two months ago, but that's life. Very hopeful.

Dig Two can work well and ran his best race yet first time out for us at Kempton. He's been running on turf since then and while he might not be the most reliable, he is 10lb lower now and that will help.

Sarasa ran on to finish in the middle on debut at Salisbury. She is well drawn and should know more about it today. Small place claims.

We bought Operatic Artist at the July Sales out of the Joseph O'Brien yard. We're still finding out about her, but she's quite lightly-raced and hasn't been going too badly on the gallops. She could possibly run into a place.

Really Darn Hot never got into the race after a slow start at Lingfield but granted a better exit from the stalls today, she should soon be in contention. I hope she can build on the promise of her debut run at Wolverhampton. Good chance.

Boann is turning into quite a nice filly and her initial mark may slightly under-value her. She won well at Southwell last time and if Oisin can help her overcome the widest draw, never easy at 5f here, she could go very close.

Marsh Lock has been disappointing so far but this is a poor race and we're trying first-time blinkers. We'll be sending her off in front and hopefully, that will work. I won't be backing her and will be surprised if she did win, but these things can happen!

Kings Valley is a nice horse who should enjoy the ground and he ran a good third over the CD on debut. He has a bad draw on the outside of his field but if he can overcome that, we are hopeful he has each-way chances.

I expected Really Darn Hot to step up markedly on her debut at Goodwood and she looked all over a winner at Wolverhampton but came out second-best in a  sustained duel to the line. Hopefully, she can get that elusive first success here.

Leguizamo isn't the biggest and seemed a little intimidated, missing the break and running green at Chepstow. He should act around Bath and a better start could see a much improved showing.

Pure Of Heart has shown promise at home. The daughter of Awtaad will improve for the experience.

Unfortunately, the going has gone soft after a fair amount of rain at Doncaster which might not suit our filly but will play into the hands of the favourite. What will help is the step up to a mile and all we can do is hope to get a piece of the prize.

Private Getaway has done plenty of work. She could hopefully, run into a place on debut and she's certainly an each-way price.

Battle Of Obdurman is an okay sort and he could be challenging for a place here. The favourite looks tough to beat but apart from the Beckett horse, there isn't too much depth. Hoping for that 3rd place.

Marsh Lock has her 2nd run for the stable since coming over from Ireland. She's in a weaker race and has come down 4lb for that run at Windsor. We hope first-time cheek-pieces will make a difference.

Really Darn Hot needed her debut at Goodwood when she was always in arrears after a slow start. She has improved a lot at home since then and the step up from 7f to this extended mile should be a positive.  Good chance.

Leguizamo goes okay but as yet he hasn't given any indication that he is a certain future winner. He'll learn plenty from this debut.

Boann has disappointed us twice when we had high expectations. I'm running her on AW for the first time and as she has always worked well on it, I remain optimistic, but after the two runs, I have to wonder.

Egewater Drive has been slow to come to hand and isn't a quick learner either. He will do better when qualified for handicaps.

Non-runner

Kings Valley ran a blinder on debut at Sandown and has done well since then. The draw is a slight concrern but we have a top jockey in Oisin on board and hopefully, they can get the job done.

Cruise is progressive and she won very nicely last time. So far she has not shown as much on turf as all-weather but she was unlucky at Leicester two runs back. Hollie is a great booking and we have a good draw so she could justify each-way support.

Dig Two is right at the bottom of the handicap and I'm taking a bit of a punt running him here. The ground, between good and good to firm should be firne as he loves fast going and he'll be at the front end from the outset. Hoping he can pop up with a nice performance.

Romanova had a tough task on debut and after a slow start, she was always playing catch up and did well in the circumstances to finish so close. We've retained the hood and she has improved since that debut, so I'm hopeful she can be competitive today.

Per Contra did very well to win first time out at Chepstow despite careering across to the far side in the last furlong. He has improved since that debut and I think we've found a good opportunity although you'll have to bet long odds on.

Roberto Caro has not been the most straightforward so he has a hood to keep his mind on the job on this debut. He will need to improve on what we've seen at home to make a winning start.

Quite A Dream, also a debutant, will know more about it after this first experience of the racecourse.

Sarasa is likely to need the experience and is best watched today.

Everything went wrong for Boann on debut at Sandown but she does work nicely and we're expecting a better showing today although she will need the race a touch.

Marsh Lock has only been with me for four weeks but she has been going all right. While I haven't really got the handle on her, her mark of 68 may be about right. She could have each-way chances here.

Really Darn Hot has been shaping okay and we think she might be challenging for 3rd, 4th or 5th. It's probably a decent race and she might not know quite enough to do any better. I hope she will though!

Non-runner

After 14 mils of rain, I'm debating whether to run Shuwari, who won so nicely first time at Newbury. I'm edging towards not running but will decide a little later on. If she were to run I would be very hopeful.

Romanova is no star but she goes okay and is ready for this first run. I thought after all the rain, one or two could be pulling out and hopefully, she might run into a place. If it doesn't happen like that, no problem as she's making a debut on a nice track.

Kings Valley has shown promise on the gallops. He will improve for the outing but may know his job better than some of these later developers. Small each-way chance.

Edgewater Drive did everything wrong on debut, starting slowly, then going too free before running out of steam. He needs to show he has learnt from that. Best watched.

Per Contra is a nice colt by Footstepsinthesand. He's done some decent work but you always have to be prepared for the effect of inexperience first time out. It's a restricted maiden, but there are a couple with respectable form, so he'll need to run well to beat them.

I was pleased with Dig Two's run, stepped up to 6f at Newbury as he needed it a little and the ground was on the loose side for him. Conditions will be ideal today and he remains in good form. We're taking 3lb off and are very hopeful he can go close.

Cruise has decent form on all-weather and has won over 6f, but she has plenty of speed and this stiff 5f should be made for her. We still think she is well enough handicapped and go all the way up there with a degree of confidence.

Shuwari is a nice filly by New Bay making her debut. Although only five runners, there's a winner and two others that have been placed on their single runs. Shuwari has done some nice work and it will be good to get a guide on where she sits against these in a race that will require the winner to run to at least mid-80s.

Someone's been backing Inquisitively, who was 33/1 earlier and is now about 10's, but not me! He ran well at Windsor on debut and probably was a little unlucky to be touched off. His work has been good and the draw and jockey are fine. In these cavalry charges, you can run a blinder and finish eighth. I'll be happy if he's in the first half but a small each-way would be the advice - if that 33/1 could still be had!

Non-runner

It's a quick enough turnaround for The Thunderer who I thought probably ought to have won last time at Goodwood but for coming from so far back. He remains in good form and this looks an excelent chance.

Anyone Home is a nicely-bred filly but first time out against fillies that have been placed puts her at a disadvantage. I've just got soaked riding out in 28 degrees and it's been throwing it down. Maybe Bath which isn't that far away could get some of it as that's the only watering they have there.

I'm not sure Evocative Spark is the most genuine of horses but going up in trip and with first-time cheek-pieces on I'm hoping for some improvement from him. If he reacts favorably to the headgear he could be worth a small each-way.

Dig Two has a good each-way chance. He wants it like a road and this will be his first chance to race on suitable ground since we've had him. It was nice enough ground at Newbury but he was still in need of the run and wasn't beaten far but we can now meet that winner (up 4 lb), we're down 2lb, on 6lb better and that might be enough to swing it. He should love the track so we're going there hopeful.

The Thunderer overcame difficulties to win at Wolverhampton under a good ride from tonight's apprentice. I hope they go a good gallop as he stays all day. He's not a big horse so he shouldn't be troubled by the course. Hopeful of a good run.

Floating Voter is a newcomer by US Navy Flag. He will improve for the experience.

I expected Cruise to be one of the favourites here after her wide-margin win at Southwell last time when she showed how unlucky she had been in her previous two races. Hollie got on very well with her and I reckon she's a great each-way bet at around 8/1.

Evocative Spark ran okay first time for us and for the season at Kempton and I think he will enjoy going up to a mile. We're adding a first-time hood and the son of Frankel could run a nice race at a big price. Small each-way chances.

Inquisitively works nicely at home but in a big field, he's not only taking on some fellow newcomers from good stables but a trio that has already shown promise. It will be tough to match them first time out.

Edgwater Drive probably shouldn't be as big an outsider as the market suggests, but they are probably reacting to his first-time out tongue-tie. He's a nice enough little horse, but this is a decent-looking contest and we'll probably be heading north next time for a better win opportunity. If he got close to a place I'd be delighted but it's up the road so an ideal starting point for him.

I think Dig Two should run all right today. He showed at Epsom that very soft ground is no use to him and he's a big price, today, as he was first time at Kempton when he ran so well. He'll be a real fun horse on fast ground in the summer. Yesterday's rain at Newbury will probably not have helped but he's still worth a small each-way at the price.

Boann is a daughter of Blue Note and shows the speed we've come to expect from his runners from his first crop. She's done plenty of work and should run well but I think she will improve for the experience. Hopeful.

Cruise has been a little unlucky so far but today with a positive jockey booking and a nice draw, I am hopeful she can get her head in front this time. She's very well and I think the longer straight at Southwell will suit her better than Wolverhampton. Hopeful.

I spoke early this morning to Andrew Cooper, clerk of the course at Epsom, and he said they had 13 mils of rain yesterday. If it had been a dry day I would have been pretty confident of Dig Two's chance after his very promising first run for us at Kempton. I'm still hopeful but the ground is an unknown.

Are We Dreaming won a Listed last time in Ireland on soft ground and as a result, her initial mark in the UK has gone up massively. I think she's more a 6f filly, but if they get the forecast rain on top of good to soft going it might bring her into the argument. Each-way chance again.

Dublin's Charm, by promising sire Pheonix Of Spain, is my first 2yo runner. He shows plenty of speed and will give me a valuable line to the rest of our team. Each-way chances, I hope.

Everyone saw Cruise's first run back at Kempton when she was denied a clear run but was only narrowly beaten. She's odds-on and hopefully if she gets a clear run through she should be hard to beat.

Dig Two is also making a  start here. This looks wide open as the betting suggests, and he goes well at home. He was good enough to be 2nd of 27 in the Windsor Castle as a 2yo and shows plenty of speed as you would expect. Oisin is sure to pick his way through and again he holds each-way chances.

The Thunderer makes his debut for us in what looks an ordinary contest. A smart apprentice is booked and I will be disappointed if he didn't finish in the first three.

This looks a very competitive race with the top two in the betting probably stakes horses in disguise and the Philippart De Foy horse will also be dangerous on his last run. I've had Evocative Spark gelded since he joined us and I think he will prove better that his mark for that, but whether he will be ready to show that level first time is uncertain.

This is the day we've all been waiting for at Manton House - our first ever runner. We bought Cruise from out of the Hannon stable and she has been given a very fair handicap mark considering she was only eight lengths behind The Platinum Queen (who was later sold for £1.2 million to Japan) off levels at Goodwood in July. I can't be sure she can run to her best after seven months off, but I think we've found a race in which she should be competitive.