Megan Lily Happy Here…

I was happy enough with Duke Of Firenze in the Epsom “Dash” last week because he always looked very likely to be placed and had no difficulty in threading his way through for third. Dark Shot was extremely unlucky, of course, and looks a natural for the Stewards’ Cup. His dam won the Wokingham.

Richard Fahey endured several near misses at the Derby meeting but I think he can hit back this Saturday. MEGAN LILY did not quite see which way Copper Knight went at Chester last time but that is smart form and the winner has since gone in again at York. The important thing this weekend will be to keep an eye on the weather, especially when it comes to the ground at Haydock – something that has troubled me for a long time. The track simply cannot handle too much rain and conditions are invariably more testing than we expect.

Anyway, Megan Lily will not mind if it comes up soft at Chester and she can go very close in the Willow Water Handicap at 3.45. The Betway John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock (4.05) is more of a problem but stable-companion GROWL was not given a hard time when unable to go with the leaders in the Duke Of York on the Knavesmire last time and I think he will handle the extra furlong here.

Soie d’Leau should have waited for the Haydock sprint handicap on Saturday instead of finishing a creditable fifth in the Listed event the night before. His absence means I no longer feel strongly about the race but I shall save a few coins for Mick Channon’s MOONRAKER in the Porsche Centre Handicap (3.05) at Newmarket. The losses are building up but he did not get the run of the race at Goodwood last time and may fare better with David Egan on board here.