It came down to the wire for Puppet Master in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Ryan Moore was in full drive, and he managed to get his mount over the line.
Experience was a big factor in the finish at Lingfield, as I do think the runner-up will be a better horse in time for Team Ballydoyle, but Puppet Master was too street-wise for him yesterday and managed to show his hardiness.
Cathedral put in a fairly pathetic performance in the race after the Derby Trial at Lingfield. She didn't look happy with the track, and was running in every direction bar in front of her. I didn't think the race was too strong, so for her to run that badly is a surprise.
Electric Storm 15/8 (1pt) – Longchamp 12.58
This Group 3 sprint race in the opener at Longchamp doesn't appear to be the strongest of races, and given how impressed I was with Electric Storm in the Listed fillies race at Bath just over a week ago, I thought she could take this step up in grade in her stride.
The race at Bath was run at a frenetic gallop, due to my selection that day, Frost At Dawn. That suited Electric Storm down to the ground as she didn't come off the bridle for a long way, and was travelling all over that field. Today, she should get another good pace to aim at as Ponntos loves to front run and is a bit of a loose cannon, so will not dilly-daddle at the front.
James Tate's five-year-old mare is a horse on the up, and I think she could be better this year than last season, and if that's the case, she should be winning this race. Soumillon has been booked, which is always a positive jockey booking.
Mighty Quiet 3/1 (1pt) – Newcastle 3.25
Harry Charlton is based down in Wiltshire, but he loves to send a runner up to Newcastle, and whenever he does, they normally have a very good chance. He has a 22% SR at this track from 23 runners, with a further 12 being inside the top four, so his horses don't make the trip unless they are in with a solid chance of winning.
He sends up a couple of runners for Sunday's racing, but the one I decided to focus on was Mighty Quiet who finished last season with a win on handicap debut, winning off a mark of 64, but recording a much better rating, so the 7lb increase in the rating should not be enough to stop her from getting a second win in a row.
They decided to make the running at Bath on her handicap debut, so it would be interesting to see if they follow up with the same tactics after a layoff. If they do, I think that's a statement of intent and proof that she's racefit.
GambleAware