Flat out into August

I can't believe Glorious Goodwood has already been and gone as we hurtle into August. The days just seem to fly by and this week will be no different as we have lots of runners to keep us busy.
Our three runners last week couldn't produce a winner but Limerick Lord ran another good race to finish second again whilst Pitch High never got going on ground that was probably too firm for him earlier in the week. As he showed on his debut, he is much better than this run and hopefully he can bounce back next time.

As already mentioned, we have loads of entries over the coming few days, starting with Dakota City at Kempton tomorrow. He has been very unlucky the last twice at Yarmouth where a slow pace caught him out on both occasions. There are a few more runners this time so hopefully he can get a strong pace to run at and we know he likes the track, having won there earlier in the year. He is such a laid-back horse who takes all his racing well and he has come out of the last run in fine health.

We could be all over the place on Wednesday with six runners at three different meetings although the weather will decide a lot for us.
Both The Ducking Stool and Mungo Madness will only go to Yarmouth if there's enough juice in the ground as neither want it too firm. Ducky has been in top form recently and is due another win soon. Mungo ran a good race on debut in a hot maiden and should be winning this year but I don't know if that will be in handicap races a few month down the line.

The Ducking Stool (Chelsea)

Tallulah's Quest (Mark) & Mungo Madness (Adam)

Also on weather watch will be Handheld at Pontefract that same day. He ran well on fast ground last time but that was in a moderate race and he ideally needs some give in the going to be seen at his best. He has really come back to form this season after an injury and he should be winning soon.
Silver Alliance is also entered at Pontefract but he is much more versatile with regards to the ground so should run no matter what. He bounced back with a win last time and he seems to be a lot more confident in himself since then. He still has a few pounds in hand on his old form so hopefully there's room for another win.

Duke Of Diamonds (Caitlin), Go On Gal (Chloe) & Handheld (Ross)

Silver Alliance (Ross) & Harry Bosch (Mark)

The third duo of entries on Wednesday are down on the south coast at Brighton. Little Orchid is starting to get the hang of things now and looks sure to win in a low grade. I don't see why she shouldn't handle Brighton's unique track and the trip is well within her compass.
Go On Gal is also entered at Brighton but I think she'll head there on Friday instead as the race is for three-year olds only and looks a better option for her. She added another second place to her CV last time despite getting a nasty cut on her leg in the race. She had some stitches put in but is all healed up now so she can bid to get that first win on the board.

Little Orchid (Sam)

We'll all be out on the road again on Thursday with another waft of runners entered.
Looking for soft ground, Valley Lodge and Duke Of Diamonds are in at Haydock. Duke has been really progressive recently, winning his last two races, but the handicapper has taken no chances by hiking him up in the ratings. The step up to 1m6f will suit him though and he will be hard to stop if getting the soft ground. 
Valley Lodge almost caused a big shock when narrowly getting beaten at Haydock last month and that effort showed just how good he is on soft going. It was too firm for him last time and I hope he can get his ideal ground again.

At Brighton, old rogue Harry Bosch surely has an ideal opportunity to win again. The conditions of the race are ideal for him and he has put up some good runs at the course before so there shouldn't really be any excuses. He does have a mind of his own though and it's just a case of whether he wants to win!

Limerick Lord could get another quick outing as he is entered at Yarmouth on Thursday. He takes his races very well and it's likely he will go up in the weights for his second place last time so I want to run him before that comes into effect.

THREE TO FOLLOW LEADERBOARD​

​Maureen Case 55
Anthea Telford 55
Jonathan Kinge 54
Barbara Walton 53
Annette Hall 52
Liam Doran 50
Gary Wardle 50
Ross Birkett 46
Phil Gunning 46
Sophie Feilden 46
Eileen Turner 46
Matt Bisogno 46