Ragsah looks good for Godolphin in Bosra Sham Stakes
The feel-good factor surrounding the Saeed bin Suroor yard is hardly surprising.
After a slow start to the season there have been seven Group One wins since July and there is also promise for the future in the juvenile division which has a 37% strike-rate for the season.
A run of four seconds (one later demoted to third because of disqualification) either side of a single victory suggests that Ragsah is not the most straightforward ride, but she showed enough to win the Listed European Breeders’ Fund Bosra Sham Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.
A field of eight means that Frankie Dettori may have a little difficulty finding cover for a filly who seems best when produced for a late run but he should be able to get a clear passage.
Ragsah’s limitations were probably exposed when she was six-and-a-half lengths fourth to Hooray in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes over course and distance four weeks ago. On that form she has the edge on both Sharnberry (who may well be better ridden with more restraint) and Sweet Cecily, who did not seem to handle the good to soft ground which she will encounter once more.
The two tracks at Newmarket do not suit every horse but Calatrava Cape’s two career wins have come there (one on each). She is up 6lbs in the ratings for winning on the Rowley Mile last month, when she won by a length.
However, although the placed horses were cutting back her lead the winner gave the strong impression that she was idling in front, and may well have enough improvement in her to win the EBF Newmarket Racecourses Thanks John Taylor Fillies' Handicap.
It may be debatable just how much difference a jockey can make in a race but anyone who backed Drill Sergeant at Haydock on Wednesday would be grateful to Tony McCoy who prevented the horse from pulling up, as he passed the exit to the stables, and drove him on to win by a length.
McCoy is in action at Uttoxeter where he rides My Les in the Severn Valley Catering Handicap Hurdle. My Les lost ground with her jumping on her last run, at Plumpton in February, but still managed to finish second and the booking of McCoy by Jim Best – they have a 38% strike- together – suggests that the filly will be right on the day.
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