Middle Park and Cheveley Park Stakes Thoughts

I was not as surprised as some may have been by the outcome of yesterday’s Middle Park and Cheveley Park Stakes.

It was likely beforehand, and evident after a furlong, that Lady Aurelia could set the race up for a closer and although I thought Queen Kindly, under Jamie Spencer, was the most likely to benefit it did occur to me in the minutes before the race that Brave Anna could also be well suited to the way the race was going to be run.

Brave Anna had run twice over seven furlongs since finishing well to win the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. Out of a mare by Sadler’s Wells, she was probably the most stoutly bred filly in the field although Roly Poly, rated 10lb superior to the winner before the race, is also a daughter of War Front out of a Sadler’s Wells mare.

The Last Lion was less easy to explain. His experience and tenacity were probably two of the main reasons he won the Middle Park, although the fast ground was also a help to him.

Blue Point is very capable but has to be rated a little disappointing in the light of his glowing home reputation.

I have just completed the Dark Horses Jumps Guide. It’s been a tough assignment, clashing with some important Flat racing, but it’s now done and packed with unexposed and unraced horses. I have reduced the Premier List to just a dozen this season, while I also have a handful of dark handicappers to watch for.

It should be available in two to three weeks.

Bye for now