GEORGE BOUGHEY: Weekend Preview

It was fantastic to see Bow Echo win the Royal Lodge at Newmarket last weekend, writes GEORGE BOUGHEY.

He’s come out of the race in brilliant shape and connections are absolutely delighted. It was a big step up in class and he showed that he’s a proper horse, which we knew at home. He travelled through it beautifully, quickened up well and saw out the mile, which gives us a lot of confidence going into next year.

The plan now is to go straight to the 2000 Guineas. He’s a very clean-winded colt and knows the track well, so we don’t feel he needs a trial. In an ideal world, he’ll just do a piece of work on the course in the spring. We think we can have him spot on when the time comes, all being well.

Awaken also bounced right back to form at Newmarket. I was delighted to see her run the way we thought she could. I probably shouldn’t have run her at Salisbury that day and she showed what she’s really about stepping up to seven furlongs. Billy [Loughnane] did the right thing getting her to relax, and I actually think she’s crying out for a mile now. She’s come out of it really well and will have something like the Nell Gwyn or the Fred Darling in mind next spring. It was just nice to get her back on track after Salisbury and send her into the winter on a high.

⭐️ STARSPORTS.BET RACING MARKETS ⭐️ 

---

SATURDAY

NEWMARKET

CHIC COLOMBINE & NORTH STAR – 1.30pm Newmarket

Chic Colombine (blue, below) wants slower conditions, so we’d like to see a bit of rain. She’s been waiting for a step up in trip and drops back into a handicap, which I hope will make life a bit easier. She hasn’t really fired this year, but she possibly overachieved at three and it’s just taken a bit of time to come back to a workable mark.

North Star wants better ground, so if it turns soft, we probably won’t run her. She was bogged down in very soft ground at Yarmouth the last day but had looked impressive at Leicester on a quicker surface. She’s in great shape and I think Newmarket will suit her, she’s a long-striding filly who likes to go forward.

ORCHID – 5.00pm Newmarket

She is a forward-going filly who carries top weight. She was a bit heavy on her comeback and ran with credit, then just got done for tow late on at Yarmouth when running again only nine days later. She’s in good shape now and I think being on the front end around Newmarket should suit her well.

---

SATURDAY

WOLVERHAMPTON

KRANJCAR – 5.30pm Wolverhampton

He’s been drawn in stall four, which is perfect around Wolverhampton at this trip. Jack [Callan] gets on really well with him, as does his brother Henry, and he deserves another go. He’s in good form and I think he can go close again.

UNASSUMING – 6.30pm Wolverhampton

She’s been threatening to go up a grade. It didn’t really work in the Racing League for one reason or another, but back in calmer waters we should see her at her best. She’s in great shape, and works well with Jack in the saddle.

---

SATURDAY

NEWCASTLE

ARRABBIATA – 3:00pm Ayr

She travelled all the way to Bath for her debut and the heavens opened. It turned heavy and five furlongs on that ground was just unfair for her. She’s worked nicely since and the step up to six furlongs on a flat track should really suit.

LIKENESS – 7.15pm Newcastle

She has been a bit disappointing after showing plenty on debut. She didn’t get a clear run at Newbury when stuck out wide and then missed the kick at Wolverhampton over seven furlongs which just didn’t work for her. She steps up to a mile now which is a slight question mark, but I thought it looked a nice spot for her. There’s plenty of pace, and if she can switch off early, I hope she can get the trip.

---

Best Chance of the Weekend:

My best chance of the weekend would probably be Kranjcar. He’s in great order and has a good draw. Unassuming would be another I’d give a good shout to if things drop right for her.

🇫🇷 George’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe pick: 🏆

For the Arc, I like Minnie Hauk. The fillies have got a seriously good record in the race over the last 10 years, especially the three-year-olds, and I think she’s the class act with the weight.

⭐️ STARSPORTS.BET RACING MARKETS ⭐️ 

---

STAR PROMOTIONS