Busy Times

Busy times indeed at the moment with the weekend's Group 1 action being followed by high summer festivals at Goodwood and Galway. It's unlikely anything there will be match the excellence of Sir Michael Stoute's achievement on Saturday, training the first 3 home in the King George. A solid performance by Conduit which puts him right in the Arc picture. The form looks decent and also pleased with pre-race selection, Alwaary's fourth place (hope he stays with John Gosden). Noteworthy win also for Lady of the Desert in the fillies race and look forward to her next outing. Genki caught the eye in the big handicap and very much of interest if he goes for the Stewards Cup.

Travelled to the Curragh on Sunday for the Phoenix stakes. Alfred Nobel won competently but at this stage does not looks as good as predecessors such as Mastercraftsman. Artic impressed winning the listed race and in the fillies maiden, Jim Bolger's well bred winner Sagacious goes straight into the notebook.

Galway has already commenced with Dermot Weld landing the spoils so far. Although very competitive, it is in essence a fun festival lacking serious championship races. Goodwood is an equally idiosyncratic track, but with a few important and potentially informative races is always worth watching, if not participating. Main Aim without a group one penalty and running at his optimum distance looks the proverbial good thing tomorrow (beware) and also interested to see how Sweet Lightning fares in the opener (poor value at the moment and never wise to back anything at single figures in a handicap at the Sussex track).

enjoy....