Mackay could be the jockey to follow

I was pleased Solar Flair won for the line yesterday, although I thought he would be returned at a price bigger than 5/1. As we are often remarking, it’s important to be out and about in search of the value these days and I’m sure he was nearer 10/1 in the morning.

Although he was only a minor investment, I still fancied him more than anything on another very busy Saturday. How strange it is to see Richard Fahey mob-handed in the Weatherbys Super Sprint with the Hannon stable taking a back seat for once. I should think Keith Dalgleish’s Hope Solo has as good a chance as most but it’s not a race that attracts me.

Following Fahey on Saturdays has become quite important, of course, though I concede that it is sometimes hard to know where to start. A jockey booking the takes the eye is Nicky Mackay for DAVID’S DUCHESS in the fillies’ sprint handicap at Newmarket. Funnily enough, she was fourth in the big Newbury cavalry charge on this day last year. She stays further than five furlongs and had a simple task in a three-runner affair at Hamilton last time. Fahey is as canny as they come and wanted Mackay off 8st 3lb for David’s Duchess, though it would make sense to save on the stable’s other runner, Mustique.

I am not that much closer to catching Mark Johnston’s horses on the right day, though I shall watch him carefully at Glorious Goodwood, as always. He uses Mackay on the tough and busy Bathos in the handicap which follows at Newmarket and the jockey also has opportunities for David Simcock and Dr Jon Scargill. Days like this are very important to him and it goes without saying that even one winner would probably leave backers with a level-stakes profit. Even so, David’s Duchess is the one that interests me.

Otherwise it’s a quiet day after a profitable week, thanks to Bernisdale and Solar Flair. Incidentally, I am not overlooking the fact that Market Rasen stages a very valuable summer card. I do not involve myself with jumpers at this time of year but you should keep a careful eye on the valuable handicap hurdle with  the Goodwood Stakes in mind.