Newcastle, Wolverhampton and Windsor

Flat racing this afternoon at Newcastle and Wolverhampton (a.w.) and this evening at Windsor. Despite the small field, the conditions race over 7 furlongs at Newcastle at 15.40 CET looks quite interesting, with Dream Lodge (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Lovelace (David and Adrian Nicholls) in opposition. Although the Fahey/ Hanafan team are in great form, we would be surprised if Dream Lodge can give 4 lbs to Lovelace, who put up numerous good performances when trained by Mark Johnston, including an easy win in the Oettingen-Rennen at Baden-Baden in 2008. The Fahey and Nicholls stables are again up against each other in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.10, and again we expect the Nicholls team to come out on top with Buachaill Dona.

The maiden race at Wolverhampton at 17.00 is contested by 3yo´s only, although it is open to older horses, and on juvenile form Party Doctor (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote) looks a near certainty; at York´s August meeting, he was only beaten about 2 lengths in the Acomb Stakes behind Elusive Pimpernel, who is now second favourite for the 2,000 Guineas. The 3yo handicap over a mile at 16.00 looks quite open, but Frankie Dettori travels to Wolverhampton for just one ride, Mark Johnston´s Call to Arms in this event, and the hint should be taken.

Frankie then moves on to Windsor´s evening meeting, where he rides three 3yo´s for Barry Hills - Bebopaluna in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 18.40, Grey Bunting in the maiden at 20.10 and Dream on Buddy in the mile handicap at 20.40, and all three have a chance.