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NEWMARKET or Newbury? It’s something many trainers are pondering ahead of next week’s two big spring meetings.
The three-day Craven fixture, which starts at Newmarket next Tuesday , and the subsequent two-dayer at Newbury are very often where top yards take the wraps off some of their nicer prospects – especially those three-year-olds who could be Guineas-bound.
Traditionally, Trillium Place eases into the season and few buttons are pressed by trainer David Simcock as the opening shots of the Flat season are being fired.
This year is no different. That said, David still expects to be represented at both meetings and he is weighing up where to run some interesting prospects.
He said: “We are still finalising which horses may or may not run next week. We’ve more to work tomorrow (Friday) with a view to possibly starting them off at either Newmarket or Newbury.
“There is a certain of amount of crossover – in terms of entries – at the two meetings, so we will see what the respective ground is like at both courses.
“As for possibles, Marine One – a fine, big Frankel colt – will probably run at one or the other. Lethal Impact and Mystic Dawn are also likely to be double-entered.
“We’re pretty steady away at the moment – April never been our most active month.
“But the horses look well and seem healthy. We won’t really know where we stand until we run a few though.”
David has outlined some likely starting-points for some of his stable stars.
He added: “Breton Rock will probably start in the (Group 2) Mile at Sandown (April 28, Algometer is likely to start in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (May 6) here in Newmarket, The Cashel Man in the Chester Cup (May 10) and Lightning Spear in the Lockinge (Newbury, May 20).”
Sheikhzayedroad, a very creditable third in the Dubai Gold Cup last month, is just back at Trillium Place after a short break.
He is scheduled to have his first British start of the year in the Ascot Gold Cup in the second half of June.