Monday 8th June, 2026

Two runners tomorrow with Manalishi going to Southwell in the two and a half maiden hurdle run at 4pm and Fighting Poet running in the mile and a quarter handicap at 7.51pm.  Manalishi ran an excellent second at Uttoxeter on his last run and although he will get further in time, hopefully he will run another competitive race with Harry Bannister onboard.

Fighting Poet has won three times on the Sussex track and was a pleasing fourth on his last run at Windsor.  Hopefully the ground will not be too soft for him and Sean D Bowen takes the ride.

We have entries on Saturday with Tech That (pictured) and Little Big Kev both entered at Uttoxeter in the three mile novices handicap chase, whilst Kev also has an entry in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle.  Both horses have shown enough form in the past to be competitive in these events although such races are always competitive.

Although I told several people to back the Derby winner, I unfortunately missed the 33’s available earlier in the week but backing Ballydoyle outsiders in the Epsom Classic is always a wise move.  Epsom were unlucky with the weather and had made such an effort to bring back the crowds but hopefully they will be rewarded in future years.

As for the non-runner rule concerning the favourite Benvenuto Cellini – apparently we can put the rule down to international consensus but it was very unfortunate that the rule made more headlines than the winner.