Michael Bell
Apostle ran too badly to be true last time. We have been delighted with him since and expect him to leave that first run well behind. (finished 2nd)
Mick Channon
Having shown promise on debut, Noor Zabeel stepped up on his Goodwood run over five furlongs to win yesterday's six furlong class three maiden at the Knavesmire.
The son of Elusive Quality clearly needed the step up in trip and having been prominent throughout under Ryan Moore, he pressed on in the closing stages to win comfortably by two and a half lengths. Mick was impressed, and is now plotting Noor Zabeel's next assignment.
"This is a super colt. Very professional and a joy to train. He was obviously at an advantage against many newcomers in the field, but we learnt at Goodwood that he needed six and I think in time he'll need to step up again.
"Ascot is probably not on the cards as I think waiting for the seven furlong races will be for the best. That means that the Superlative at the July meeting comes under consideration.
"It's been a good week so far with two two year old winners up here and I was also very pleased with The Thrill is Gone's performance in the conditions race. We'll have some fun with her this season.
Paul D’Arcy
We were very pleased with Edinburgh Knight and Caledonian Spring at Ascot on 7th. Edinburgh Knight ran a great race to be 3rd in a very competitive handicap on his return to the turf and Caledonian Spring will really benefit from his first run in 4th. They both won best turned out, which says a lot for Blue Chip Pro, which is fed to all our horses and really helps with coat condition in particular. Blue Chip's own horse, Come On Blue Chip, ran a great race last week to be 3rd first time out in a hot Newmarket maiden and hopefully goes to York next week.
Richard Hannon
Robert Barnett's home-bred filly, who is now two from two, looks distinctly smart, and the boss said:"Best Terms will not be two until next Thursday, but she is a quick learner and very professional. She will be entered for both the Queen Mary and the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, and we will decide which route to take nearer the time."
The two-year-old maiden, which we have won in the past with such stars as Canford Cliffs, Strong Suit and Major Cadeaux, passed us by this year, with 40-1 shot Wise Venture nailing our pair, Poole Harbour and Trumpet Major, close home.
Jimmy Fortune told owner Robin Heffer that Poole Harbour was "a lovely horse who had the race won everywhere bar the last 50 yards", while Richard Hughes was similarly complimentatry about John Manley's Trumpet Major, observing "he will come on a ton for that and he ran green, but the penny dropped close home and he would have won in another 100 yards".
The boss said:"They are two nice horses who have yet to do any fast work on the grass, and they are merely ladies-in-waiting," and, while it's true that both are colts and not fillies, we got the jist of his meaning which was "they will both win next time".
Brian Meehan
St Barths (same race) Nice Cadeaux Genereux colt who has been working very well at home. Great chance to make a winning start.
St Barth's (Ascot 4.00 p.m.) He's a nice two-year-old who will probably be better at six furlongs, but he is ready to run. Brian likes him a lot.
She's Flawless (Newmarket 1.50 p.m.) Lovely daughter of Smart Strike who has been working very well at home. Will improve for this first race.
Ballesteros (Haydock 2.30 p.m.) Nice horse who will need the run but has been working very well at home.
Tom Tate
We have some very nice two year olds for the season. Of the early ones, I particularly like Keep Swinging (an Oasis Dream colt), Mean It (colt by Danehill Dancer out of Lilssa), Parc De Launay (a colt by Monsieur Bond) and an unnamed Haafhd gelding.
Peter Winkworth
Foxtrot India, a 2 y/o colt by Tagula, won his debut race, the 5 furlong EBF Maiden, at Goodwood today at 14/1. He rather missed the break from his far side draw but soon caught up and went forward at the business end just repelling the renewed effort of the Hannon trained runner-up. This may turn out to have been a competitive race (horse “looks a useful type” - Racing Post) and gets us off to a cracking start. A couple of shares remain in this fun Partnership, email contact dan@foxtrotracing.com.