Harry Bentley brings you his thoughts on his runners during the Ebor Festival at York in England.
It's lovely to have a bit of off time from racing in Hong Kong to recharge the batteries, but I've been given the massive opportunity of riding in the Nunthorpe on Friday.
It was a no brainer to agree to do so. It meant I had to cut my holiday a bit short but it's a fantastic opportunity in a big race and I'm thrilled to be taking part.
It's great for my personal profile, and it's also great for British racing that this is a World Pool meeting as you've got all the international eyes watching. Hong Kong is a small place, but there's an awful lot of people there, and an awful lot of racing fans, so there'll certainly be a lot of support coming from there.
The Ebor Festival at York is always a fantastic meeting and I'm delighted to be involved again on all three World Pool days.
Day 1, York | Race 4: G1 International Stakes
No ride for me, but if I could pick one it would probably be Delacroix. He is going up against Ombudsman again after their clash in the Eclipse, but I think he's the one I'd go for.
The Japanese horse, Danon Decile, brings some very strong form to the table. They have an extremely strong middle-distance crop of horses in Japan. They go prize hunting around the world and are very successful at doing so.
Day 1, York | Race 7: 2yo Handicap
I kick off the meeting with DUBLIN BAY for Ollie Sangster.
I've got to do a the very light weight of eight-stone-two on him, but I guess if I'm doing it for Spicy Marg later in the week, then why not do it a couple of times!
He's won on his last two outings and actually looked really convincing last time at Doncaster. I think he's a horse that is naturally improving. This is a big step up in class but he's showing all the right signs and going the right way. I'm very pleased to pick up the ride and he should run well.
Day 2, York | Race 6: 2yo Handicap
On the Thursday, I start off in the nursery aboard UBETTERSEETHIS.
He won last time out at Chester and hopefully will take another step forward from that. This looks like it's a harder race than the one he won last time, but he's coming here with some confidence so hopefully he can run well.
Yorkshire Oaks Day, York | Race 7: 3yo+ Fillies and Mares Handicap
It's nice to pick up a ride on an improving filly in the shape of CALLIANASSA.
She's won her last two outings at Newcastle and on the most recent of those she really stuck her head out in a ding-dong battle to the line, so you couldn't fault her. These sales races are pretty competitive and a bit of a lottery at times, but she's a horse bringing good recent form into the race which has to be a positive.
Day 3, York | Race 4: G1 Nunthorpe Stakes
Getting the ride on SPICY MARG was a bit lucky to be honest. I was at Glorious Goodwood when she won, and I just happened to walk past Michael Bell (trainer) and Emma Banks (owner) when they were celebrating her win, and we had a catch up. Michael contacted me a few days later to say that if they were to supplement her, and I could do the weight, would I be interested in riding her.
I was in the right place at the right time but it's a great ride to pick up!
In Hong Kong I do ride quite light. I ride as low as eight-stone-three quite regularly. It's quite routine for me, the only difference is that I have been on holiday, but my weight is good and I'm lucky that I never balloon in the off time. If we win on Friday, an Indian will be the celebratory takeaway of choice!
I did a pretty routine piece of work aboard her a couple of days ago. Michael made it clear that she was extremely fit and it was just a tick-over gallop more than anything. We did a five-furlong piece of work on the July Course at Newmarket and it was nice to gallop her on that track, where she has run before.
She gave me all the right feels that you would want to get going into a race like this. She was quite 'push button' when I wanted her to go and join the lead horse and I was extremely happy with the way she finished up. I have to say my take outs were all very positive and she gave me the feel of a really nice horse.
From what I've seen and heard, I wouldn't be worried about her failing to handle the occasion at all. With most two-year-olds you'd have a lingering concern that they might blow their lid a bit and let the occasion get to them, but she seems really quiet. This is five furlongs and a Group 1, so they're going to go fast and that will help her settle, so I'm not worried about her doing too much in any part of the race.
There are a handful of the opposition who you're naturally going to be concerned about, this is a Group 1 after all, and they're never won easily.
I think Lady Iman has to be a major threat. She's another two-year-old filly but she's in flying form and has only been beaten once in her career. Arizona Blaze is a three-year-old that won last time out and again brings some decent form to the table, while Asfoora would be another horse that stands out to me as having a leading chance, and one I'll have to keep my eyes on.
