Rosslyn Castle travelled well but unfortunately the ground was much too firm for him, I suppose having won on very soft ground and being a son of Selkirk it wasn't a huge surprise.  Estrela was again rather disappointing and I hope the handicpapper will drop her a few pounds.  Zero Money was perhaps saddled with a slight disadvantage but I hope he will find a winning opportunity as long as the ground remains fast.  Mince was a complete revelation being allowed to make the running and produced an incredible performance to beat the 6 furlong course record.  For a 3 year old to carry 9st 10lb and beat the times achieved in the Golden Jubilee and Wokingham was rather incredible.  If she recovers from yesterday's race there is a 6 furlong listed race for fillies at Pontefract next Sunday.  Dawn Glory produced an improved effort to be beaten a couple of lengths in her maiden race at Lingfield.

Definightly travelled well to the Curragh where the ground is currently good but I hope the forecast of some rain materialises.  Cityscape had a good trip to Deauville via Porstmouth and Le Harve and he is reported to be in good form.  Todays race is the most competitive group 1 that he has contested so far and he will need to produce a career best to beat so many previous group 1 winners

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It was a pleasant surprise to see Nimble Thimble (USA) win her maiden race in good style last night. She won with her ears pricked and seemed to enjoy the experience although yet again she seemed to come back with a few cuts to a hind leg which probably happened when she messed around in the starting stalls.  I imagine she will be rated in the mid 70's and should stay a mile and a half.

We have no runners today, tomorrow or Thursday as the ground continues to be soft in most places.

Definightly was a little disappointing on Saturday, he travelled well for 3 1/2 furlongs and did not seem to finish his race off. Although the conditions were perfect for him and he seemed in good form prior to the race, perhaps running 14 days after a tough journey and race to the Curragh had taken its toll.  Clearly the July Cup was run on desperate conditions and  Genki really struggled like most of the horses in an unsatisfactory race. The only good decision I made on Saturday was not running Bated Breath.

Today our only runner Nimble Thimble (USA) goes to Wolverhampton for the 8.30pm. She got badly struck into on the foreleg in her last race which has taken time to heal up and sadly she does not show the speed that her half brother Three Valley's (USA) did, but she is gradually improving.

Nimble Thimble (USA)

I was really pleased with the way that both Pythagorean and Dundonnell (USA) ran in their respective races yesterday to finish 3rd. Pythagorean was perhaps a little keen in the early stages but he did well to run on to finish 3rd when at the back of the pack in very testing ground.  Dundonnell (USA) behaved better than I expected, as there were alot of colts shouting and misbehaving in the pre parade ring and the whole experience will have done him the power of good.  He travelled well through the race and should be a horse to look forward to in the future.  Mince was rather disappointing again and at this stage I do not have an excuse for her as she seemed to be in trouble some way from home.

Mr Abdulla  has decided that Bated Breath should not run in the July Cup this afternoon after more prolonged rain 20mm at Newmarket overnight. It is very frustrating for all concerned as I believe he was the best horse in the race and that he deserves to win a Group 1, so fingers crossed that the Nunthorpe will have suitable going in August.

Genki (Ire) has headed off to Newmarket and it would be great to see him ploughing his way through the mud to get into some of the place money, but I don't suppose he will particularly like the going either, but he did win the Stewards Cup on soft ground in 2009.

Genki (Ire)

I can safely say that Definightly will love the ground at Newbury but it will be tough with his 4lb penalty having won the Woodies Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh a fortnight ago

Definightly

Trader Jack kept on well yesterday having been a little bit keen in the early stages of the race to be beaten 3 1/2 lengths in 5th. Better ground would have suited him and I got the impression that he might even stay further in due course.  Sea Of Heartbreak (Ire) was a little disappointing, racing a bit freely again and getting tired in the ground. A drop back to 10 furlongs on faster ground I hope will produce a better result if it ever stops raining ! 

Today we have two runners at Newmarket with Mince running in the The Bonus King Stakes, she is in great form and should appreciate the ease in the ground compared to last time at Haydock, but with 20 runners it will be difficult to lift such a valuable prize.

Mince

Dundonnell (USA) makes his debut in the 3.35pm, he is a big strong good looking colt who has been working nicely but like most horses would prefer faster ground. He is from the first crop of First Defence who is a Juddmonte stallion by Unbridled's Song (USA)who is a close relation of their successful stallion Empire Maker and he was a Group 1 winner over 7 furlongs on the dirt in America. 

At Newbury we run Pythagorean who is another nice colt by Oasis Dream out of a Saddler's Wells mare who stayed a mile and a half from a good staying family. He has been working with Dundonnell (USA) and as always it will be interesting to see how the two year olds perform.

Derwent (USA) is our first two year old runner and runs in the 6.40pm race at Windsor this evening.  He is a strong bodied colt by Mizzen Mast and a half brother to Three Valley's, but unfortunately at this stage he does not show the brilliance that his half brother showed as a two year old when he won The Coventry in a course record time in 2003.  His work has been encouraging but I would have preferred the ground to have been fast as he is a good mover.

Cityscape clearly didn't stay the distance on the slower ground at Sandown yesterday. Having travelled well through the race he looked to have every chance 2 furlongs out but then faded to finish 4th. He is likely to have a short break before we look for another Group One target in September either here or abroad.

Cityscape is our only runner today and runs in the Eclipse at Sandown.  He is in great condition and his work has been very good but there  remains a question mark over whether he will stay 10 furlongs on soft ground.  He certainly gave me the impression when winning the Dubai Duty Free over 9 furlongs that it would be worth a try as there are so many good and valuable races over that distance.  He has got a very good and consistent record having only run 18 times over 5 seasons, but winning 6 of them and only being unplaced 3 times, for total earnings of £2.75m.  Fingers crossed for a big result.

Cityscape

I was pleased with Sanctioned at Newbury last night, he behaved extremely well and having missed the break stayed on towards the end. He will definitely improve as he gets stronger and more experienced.  As the Racing Post said this morning, Moidore really toughed out making all under a good ride from James Doyle. He clearly appreciates a trip but did not appreciate the soft ground.

Camberley Two runs at Sandown this afternoon in the  4.35pm and I was pleased to hear that they had escaped the rain so far and that the ground remains on the fast side.  Having had such a good season last year and the handicapper understandably taking his revenge, he needs to improve on his last run to become competitive and it remains a question mark as to whether he will be suited by 10 furlongs on a stiff track.

Camberley Two

With the forecast of heavy rain at Haydock, Cry Fury is an unlikely runner in the Old Newton Cup should the ground deteriorate more.