Fahey the man in super sprint

Last weekend was a time for majoring on each-way bets with Lexington Abbey nicking fourth at 16/1 at Ascot and Steady Pace just failing to last home in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket.

Those were quite good calls but less successful was the decision to stay with Jeremy Noseda. Abe Lincoln and Sixties Groove were both disappointing and I’m not sure I saw enough to keep me loyal next time, though Abe certainly deserves a chance on much softer ground – the prevailing conditions when he was beaten a whisker in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last year.Noseda is in

Noseda is in fair form otherwise and Firefright did the line a good turn on Thursday, though not for the first time this week the SP was far shorter than the overnight tissue suggested. These days you have to be up early and on the ‘phone at breakfast-time to make sure of the value.Every now and then the Weekend Card will come up with non-runners and

Every now and then the Weekend Card will come up with non-runners and I’m sort about that. Mick Channon has taken Lincoln out at least three times since the horse was slowly away and saw little daylight at Windsor, while David O’Meara does not run Suedois in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. For a horse of his ability it is remarkable that Suedois has not obliged since arriving at the yard, for quite a lot of money, from France. In his absence Charlie Hills’ Magical Memory may go in after regaining the winning thread at Haydock but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Mick Easterby’s Perfect Pasture go close at a much bigger price. Mick is still a force to be reckoned with, especially when sending horses a long way south. Perfect Pasture also went to Ireland to win a hot handicap last year.Finally, Mark Johnston withdrew Yalta at Newmarket on Friday evening after the rain. That was the right move but you should look out for this five-furlong specialist at Goodwood, possibly in

Finally, Mark Johnston withdrew Yalta at Newmarket on Friday evening after the rain. That was the right move but you should look out for this five-furlong specialist at Goodwood, possibly in the King George because he is a course winner and shot down the hill when winning the Molecomb last year.

I always feel that Richard Fahey’s runners should be backed en bloc each-way in the Weatherbys Super Sprint. In theory Maggies Angel is his number one but he often has a few fighting it out at fancy prices. There will be each-way terms on the first five if you shop around. In a 25-runner field I’d also save a few coins for Stan Moore’s Debutante’s Ball, who has been very highly tried the last twice and will find this more suitable. The whole point about this race is that if favours the cheaply bought with a touch of class and, by virtue of her bargain basement purchase price, she gets in off 8st 1lb.It will be a quiet weekend otherwise, though Mark Johnston’s Highly Sprung, who turns out often enough, may have found the right bunch of rivals in the six-furling handicap at Newmarket.

It will be a quiet weekend otherwise, though Mark Johnston’s Highly Sprung, who turns out often enough, may have found the right bunch of rivals in the six-furling handicap at Newmarket.

Flat 2017, Highly Sprung