Red Box improving fast

The line has been in good form of late and Frankie Dettori kept things going with an 11/4 winner for Don Cantillon at Newmarket on Friday evening.

I was a little disappointed that Thesme did not feature among the final declarations for the opening Sprint on Shergar Cup day at Ascot. She has been running very well of late and her Goodwood second the other day looked good enough to take this in style. In her absence I have no strong thoughts about the race although it would be quite a story if Hayley Turner, having come out of retirement to represent the Girls’ team, managed to win on 14/1 chance Poyle Vinnie.

He has a better chance than those odds suggest. Although never sighted in a good-quality Stewards’ Cup last week, he has run well enough on occasions this year to indicate that the ability is still there. True, he prefers more runners and a fierce pace but this is not a particularly talented field and he may cause a bit of a surprise. Each-way would have to be the call.

Sir Mark Prescott’s RED BOX was the beneficiary when Jamie Spencer on Namhrooda was adjudged to have impeded the third home at Ascot recently. They had to be placed behind that horse, so Red Box, flying up the outside and not involved in the scrimmaging, was awarded the race. She was lucky, of course, but looks in rude health at present and can make the most of another winning opportunity in the Listed Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes at Haydock on Saturday. The yard is in cracking form at present.

Otherwise it looks a quiet day in this corner, though I’d risk a little on FARLOW in the seven-furlong handicap at Newmarket. He has not been on top of his game the last couple of times but is a tough, consistent handicapper and exactly the type Richard Fahey likes to send south for a handy prize.