Mixed week

We had a mixed few days last week with Secret Strategy and Best Example both going to the races with good chances but ultimately running well below par. Both were in top form at home and their blood tests afterwards came back clear so you just have to put it down to a bad day at the office for the pair. It would be easy to train horses if they showed their best every time but they are flesh and bone just like us and, like us, they can have days when they're just not feeling at their best.
Luckily Majestic Moon was in top form at Goodwood on Friday when he ran a game race to finish second under Shelley. He is a bold front-runner so is always vulnerable to a fast-finisher and, after fending off the rest of the field, one horse came very late to chin him on the line. He loves his racing and will be worth following this summer.

Royal Ascot rolls back around this week and it always holds fond memories for me. We have had some fantastic days out there with Spirit Of Sharjah finishing an unlucky third in the Norfolk Stakes whilst Emma's Gift won her side of the track in the Albany Stakes but sadly four others were ahead of her on the other side of Ascot's wide straight.
I'll have plenty of time to enjoy it this week too with no runners until Dakota City at Chelmsford on Thursday. He is always thereabouts but struggles to win and the plan is to get some form in his book before he goes to the sales in August.

Dakota City (Eddie)

Then it doesn't look like anything for us until Saturday when Gas Monkey makes his racecourse debut for the N.E.T. Racing Club. He has needed a bit of time to mature but has been doing his homework nicely over the past month and is ready for a run. I expect him to need the experience but he won't be waiting too long before getting competitive.

Aldbury Lass (Chloe, hidden), Gas Monkey (Gemma) & Casey Banter (Caitlin)

Majestic Moon thrives on his racing and may be out again quickly at Lingfield too depending on his well being. I think he might be better around a bend so the straight turf course there may not be perfect but it suits front runners so he should have a chance.

Avocet (Ross), Our Cilla (Sarah) & Silver Alliance (Tess)

Sir Fred (Sam)

FOUR TO FOLLOW LEADERBOARD

​Ken Campbell 46
Ros Taylor 46
George Evans 45
John Chalklin 45
Julia Feilden 40
Annette Hall 38
Eileen Turner 38
Geoff Walton 37
John Tucker 37
Brad Dines 36
Trevor Mather 36
Kevin Case 36