SILVESTRE DE SOUSA: Exclusive Weekend Blog

I was thrilled to ride a winner for Amy Murphy at Chester on Thursday. If I’m honest I thought that Pride Of America was doing a little too much in front, but in the end I struggled to pull him up after the line. Watching the race again, it looked a little rough in behind, so we were in the right place well out of trouble.

The Coolmore team have already had some week and I was taken with the performances of both Star Of India (pictured below) in the Dee Stakes and Changingoftheguard in the Chester Vase. Both look really good stayers and look perfect types for Epsom. Looking ahead to Saturday and I was heading to Lingfield, but a last minute change of plans now means I’m at Nottingham for four…

NOTTINGHAM

GREENBARN – 1.35pm

First up, I ride Greenbarn for Michael Dods. I’ve never actually sat on her before, but she had two nice runs as a two-year-old and this looks a nice starting point. She built on a good third at Beverley with a win at Pontefract on her second start. Both of those runs came on soft ground so she shouldn’t mind the rain if it comes. Looking at the rest and William Haggas’ gelding Hebrides looks the one to beat.

ARABESCATO – 2.45pm

In the staying handicap I’m back aboard Arabescato who will come on a bundle for his recent run at Chelmsford. He’s a bit of a character so will need everything to go right and I’ll be trying to hit the front as late on as possible. Lawmans Blis won at Thirsk last time and looks the obvious one.

RICH DREAM – 3.20pm

This will be my first ride for Ed Bethell aboard Rich Dream who carries topweight in the 10 furlong handicap. He’s got bits and pieces of nice form including when fourth in the Convivial at York on his debut. This trip looks ideal and he is better than he showed on his last start back end. The trainer has been in good form of late sending out four consecutive seconds, so that’s a positive too. Hopefully we can end a run of unlucky losers.

ROLYPOLYMOLY – 4.30pm

My final ride of the afternoon is Rolypolymoly for Adam West. He didn’t show much on his first two starts as a two-year-old, but was better switched to the all-weather at Kempton last November. He was a bit keen on his reappearance at Pontefract last month and will have to be more professional stepping up in trip. The stable had a nice winner at Chester earlier in the week with Live In The Dream.

The best of the action elsewhere looks to be the classic trials at Lingfield…

LINGFIELD

2.40pm – Derby Trial

All eyes will be on the Godolphin pair of Walk Of Stars and Natural World who could easily book their tickets to Epsom here. However, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore have had a hell of a week and I just feel that United Nations might be the one. He is bound to take a big step forward from his Epsom run last time.

3.15pm – Oaks Trial

Without sounding like a scratched record, it looks like another big chance for the Coolmore team with Emily Dickinson. She will relish the step up in trip and was really good late on last time. I’d be surprised if there was anything here good enough to trouble her.

Good Luck
SDS

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