Hollie Doyle’s Blog: Fred Darling Heroine Claims Hungerford | Racing News

Our ambassador Hollie Doyle previews her five races at Newbury on Saturday, live on Vscek Racing, and updates sprinter Bradsell ahead of Nunthorpe.

FRED DARLING’S HEROINE HAS CLAIMS ON HUNGERFORD

I’m curious to see how FOLGARIA distinguished herself in the day’s highlight, the Group 2 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (3.35) at Newbury on Saturday.

Unbeaten in Italy, she extended her winning streak to six when she won the Group 3 Fred Darling on her back in the spring, with 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka third.

I have since ridden her in both starts, finishing last in the French Guineas before 1m looked to test her stamina again in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Despite the winning course and distance having dropped, Marco Botti’s filly has the ability to run a great race in what looks like an open renewal race.

MYCONIAN IS ABLE TO BUILD ON NEWMARKET’S RUN

I’m happy to keep pedaling MICONIAN After finishing second at Newmarket last month, we can make a brave attempt to go one better in the Play The BetVictor Predictor Now (2.25) handicap at Newbury.

Amy Murphy’s gelding produced his best performance of the year in the first lingual frenulum and uprights combination at the July Course, which was understandably retained.

It’s a tough handicap, but this French Listed winner has now built up a decent score and is capable of winning a race like this if he puts his mind to it.

TO MAKE A POINT WITH ZABRISKIE

ZABRISKIE POINT He has run two decent races since returning from a long break and gelding and could be at his best in the TPT Fire Handicap (3.00) at Newbury.

The Charles Hills gelding performed well for a long stretch in a historic 6f handicap at Newmarket on his reappearance before finishing in the final of a 7f event at Glorious Goodwood.

Winner of this trip to Thirsk last autumn, the son of Blue Point is still quite high up in the weights despite his revised rating of 89, but can be competitive with a high draw in his favour.

MORE NEWS FROM BOUBYAN

My Boss’s Colt Imad Alsagar BOUBYAN He was too inexperienced to do justice to his only previous start in an Ffos Las maiden a couple of weeks ago, but I expect the outing will have carried him high when he reappears in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (4.05) at Newbury.

I have ridden the son of Churchill a lot on Andrew Balding’s Kingsclere gallops and have always had the impression that he learns from everything he does. He is well set to improve on his debut effort in what looks like a typical strong example.

Next, the weight for the age allowance that BLUE BACKGROUND Her performances in the Chapel Down Handicap (4.40) at Newbury could be enough to see her in contention.

The Ed Walker-ridden daughter of Masar has maintained good form on her return from a four-month break, competing in a 10f handicap at Sandown last month and can give older mares a run for their money at her light weight.

ALL SYSTEMS ARE FOR BRADSELL

Archie Watson’s Sprint Star BRADLELL is in fine form ahead of next week’s Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

His Listed win in France a couple of weeks ago really put him under pressure and I can’t wait to ride him again in preparation for his second attempt at the big Knavesmire challenge.

Bradsell was third in last year’s race when he found the track a bit narrow. They gave it their all as they always do at Nunthorpe, but I hope he can add a second Group 1 to his already impressive CV.

MODEL SUCCESS COMING FOR JANE’S COLT

I was delighted to finish second to a very exciting horse in France last weekend when I partnered Jane Chapple-Hyam CHILDREN AND LOVERS in the Nureyev Prize in Deauville.

I had finished third in a similar race at Newbury so expected him to do well – he was just unlucky to come up against John and Thady Gosden’s enthusiastic Ombudsman, who could have done anything at this point.

Sons And Lovers is a wonderful horse who can continue to progress and who, on the basis of these tests, is certainly aiming to win a Group race.