A good opportunity for Intisaab

We were right in the first place to prefer Wild Illusion to Soliloquy in the 1,000 Guineas, although it hardly mattered because he finished only fourth. Godolphin were winning just about everything else (five winners over the weekend) but the Classics still prove elusive.

Ballydoyle still holds sway, of course, and Saxon Warrior looked a well above-average 2,000 winner. I think he will win the Derby and it wouldn’t surprise me if stable-companion Rostropovich went for the Prix du Jockey-Club.

The trials at Lingfield on Saturday do not appeal from a betting point of view and I prefer Haydock, where the Swinton Hurdle looks a fascinating affair. John Constable ran away with it last year but his handicap mark has gone through the roof and I prefer Chesterfield each-way. It’s hard to fault his form because he has been there or thereabouts in ultra-competitive events the last twice. I could have lived without the 3lb increase for coming third but he remains in good heart.

On that mixed card INTISAAB is my nap, although Dancing Star, a former Stewards’ Cup winner, would be a big danger if fit enough after a long break. Intisaab is somewhere between Group 3 and Listed class and this conditions 6f event looks just right for him.

The Victoria Cup at Ascot is the usual intriguing puzzle and no one knows about the effect of the draw any more. It’s rash to take the Newbury Spring Cup form too literally. If we did, the way Keyser Soze came right across the back of his field and burst between runners, still going well for Jamie Spencer, would make him the winner. But it’s mile form, of course, and this is only seven furlongs so he has to do everything that much quicker. Still, he looked unlucky, it was an eye-catching display and I shall stay with him.