Paul Mulrennan: century in sight and farewell to old friends

I’ve ridden three winners this week, bringing my yearly tally to 82. Sir Mark Prescott has a nice horse on his hands in the shape of Pledgeofallegiance, a Sea The Stars gelding who went up 3lb for his Ripon win.

Bryan Smart’s horses are flying, and his Castan beat an in-form rival (Rodborough) at Newcastle on Monday. That race was run in a fast time – conditions were perfect; calm, and still – and the race rode like a two-horse race. There’ll be loads of opportunities for him back at Newcastle during the winter.

It does become increasingly difficult to find winners at this time of the year but the aim for the next few months is to stay fit, healthy, and busy in pursuit of the magic 100.

There was universal disappointment to the sad news that Westover suffered a career-ending injury in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

He has been a grand horse for Ralph Beckett and Juddmonte, and in many ways was just reaching his absolute potential. Fingers crossed he can respond well to a period of convalescence and then return to make his mark as a stallion.

The news also broke this week that Marsha – winner of the Prix de l’Abbaye (2016), and the Nunthorpe Stakes (2017) – has sadly passed away.

I was fortunate enough to have played a small part in her racing career, partnering her to her first Listed win in the Land O’Burns Stakes at Ayr. Funnily enough, I never did mange to get the ride back from Luke Morris thereafter! I’d like to take this opportunity to pass on my sincerest condolences to all who loved and cared for this marvellous mare.

The competition has been fierce at the Tattersalls Book 1 sale in Newmarket this week, with eye-watering amounts of money changing hands. The bulk of the major investment has come from overseas, including from Mohammed Saleh Bin Laden’s Salhia Stud who purchased ten fillies for a combined total of 2.56m guineas.

All forms of investment can only be viewed as positive news for our sport, but I always believe that the later sales (Book 2 onwards), provide us with a far better understanding of the overall prosperity of racing. This is when the so called “bread and butter” horses steadily begin to make their way through the sales.

William Buick will retain the jockeys’ championship. He’s now 28 winners clear of his nearest pursuer Tom Marquand. I’d like to congratulate William on another fine season.

Buick (Belmont and Woodbine), and James Doyle (Keenland) are booked to ride for Godolphin across the Atlantic this weekend, which opens the door for none other than Ryan Moore to take several interesting rides at Newmarket. All eyes will be fixed on the 1.5m guineas yearling Military Leader who makes his debut in the seven-furlong maiden (4.25pm).

I’m heading south to Ascot on Saturday for five booked rides, for four different trainers. It is fantastic to have such a strong book and, as always, I’m grateful to those trainers and owners offering these opportunities.

Firstly, the warrior Euchen Glen (2.55) goes in the Group Three Cumberland Lodge. Based on official ratings, he has work to do with most, but he has been in the form of his life lately.

It was a similar scenario in this race last year when he finished a respectable sixth to Hamish. With only eight runners, we have a realistic chance of earning prize money. His trainer, Jim Goldie, is enjoying another phenomenal season; continually flying the flag for Scotland at all these high-profile fixtures.

I have an unbelievable strike-rate for Ed Walker (five winners from 16 rides, including three from four this year), and with Saffie Osborne Newmarket bound for the Sun Chariot Stakes, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to pick up the ride on Dark Trooper (3.00), who seeks a five-timer in the Bengough Stakes.

He’s two from two over course and distance, having won the Shergar Cup Sprint and the Fever-Tree Handicap, so he ticks all the boxes. Hopefully, he’ll suit my style of riding, but he thoroughly deserves to take his chance in this Group Three contest.

Ed has also booked me to ride Canoodled (4.10). She’s 7lb higher than when successful over this trip at Newmarket in July and is dropping back in distance from her most recent appearance.

David O’Meara saddles five in the Howden Challenge Cup (3.35). My agent thinks that I could be on the best of them in Blue For You. He won nicely at during the summer, so could easily be competitive if repeating that level of form.

I struck up a positive rapport with Get It (4.45) in the Racing League during the summer. George Baker’s five-year-old was narrowly beaten over five furlongs at Chepstow, but collectively we made amends by landing a nice prize over six on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.

He found the ground too soft for his liking in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster (seventh), but the conditions at Ascot should be ideal. He’s lively, a proper sprinter, so the application of a hood (form figures 2417) has served to keep a lid on that raw enthusiasm. He’s thriving though, so I’m really looking forward to getting back aboard.