Our star columnist Richard Fahey runs Rhythm Master in the Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday - get his thoughts on all of his weekend runners here.
SUNDAY
1.20 Wolverhampton – Roydmor
He’s been running well including in a nursery at Beverley last time. He’s shown enough to suggest he’ll be winning a little race and it would be nice if it was this one.
1.20 Wolverhampton - Waitingonanalibi
I’d be surprised if she beat our other horse and she looks one for nurseries further down the line. She ran OK on debut at Pontefract but will need to take a big step forward from that to be winning here.
1.25 Deauville – Rhythm Master
It’s great to have a runner in the Prix Morny. It’s a huge ask for a horse to step up from a novice stakes to a Group One but if any horse can it could well be him. His work has been exceptional, not a word I use often, and we couldn’t be happier with him.
We had to decide between this race and the Gimcrack and it was a very close call for John Dance and myself but in the end we decided to go for the Group One. I don’t think either would have been the wrong call. I said he could be special after he won at Haydock and I can’t wait to see how he goes here.
3.30 Wolverhampton – Bravo Faisal
He’s a very disappointing horse who just hasn’t raised a gallop in his three races this year and we don’t know why. The handicapper has dropped him a further three pounds which might help and he’d be dangerous in this if anywhere near his best of 2019. He just hasn’t been so far this year.
3.55 Naas – State Patrol
This is a big pot and I’m happy to have a go at it with our three runners. I’m just worried about the trip with this one. He’s probably going to be a seven furlong or mile horse but he has plenty of ability and has run well in his two races at York and Chester.
3.55 Naas – Abduction
He hasn’t run for 60 days since finishing second on debut at Hamilton but has progressed very well during that time. He’s working well and I’d like to see him run a nice race in this.
3.55 Naas – Bankrolled
She ran very well on debut at York when just touched off by Seven Brothers. It was a solid run and my one worry here is how she’ll handle the very heavy ground. She gets a handy weight allowance from the colts though and would definitely have a chance.
SATURDAY
3.25 Deauville – Fev Rover
She’s a very nice filly and we’ve been really pleased with her in the build up to the Shadwell Prix du Calvados. The ground at Deauville will be the slowest she’s encountered so far – but we think she’ll cope with it. On her form on the track and work at home I’d like to see her run a very big race here.
4.40 York – Silver Dust
He’s always worked well and has finally got it together this season, winning three times. He’s now rated 82 and finished fourth from that mark behind Top Rank at Thirsk last time. He goes up in trip and class here and needs to find more but we’ll see what happens.
4.40 York – Society Red
He’s going to need a lifetime best to be competitive in this but ran OK at Leicester last time and he’s a previous course-and-distance winner here – and has run well on other occasions at York too. He likes the place which always gives you a squeak.
8.25 Chelmsford – Anna Maria
She’s a well-bred filly, a half-sister to Duke Of Firenze, and tries very hard. I’d love to win small race with her but this is the last chance as she’s in the sales at Newmarket next week. It would be fantastic to see her get her head in front but is a competitive race.
8.55 Chelmsford – Mr Gus
He’s drawn out near Newmarket in stall 15 which makes it very difficult. We’ll have to drop him in and ride for luck from out there and he’ll need plenty.
