Paul Mulrennan Column: guide to my weekend rides and more

Paul Mulrennan Column: guide to my weekend rides and more

By Paul Mulrennan
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Racing TV ambassador Paul Mulrennan tells us about his rides over the coming days plus reflects on a glittering treble last weekend and a near-miss at Chester.

The Great Game

I’m still licking my wounds after Chester on Wednesday when Paws For Thought was caught on the line in the finale. I love Chester, and I’ve always had luck around there, just not this week!
Donald McCain is a brilliant trainer, he can train all types of horses, and so with a few more in for the Flat season - including some juveniles - there’ll be winners to come and ease that frustration. Things start to get busy Chester week onwards, so fingers crossed I’ll be able to pick up some rides at York next week.
Last Saturday was a brilliant afternoon, with a treble at Thirsk courtesy of Zuffolo, Redarna and Wor Willie. I’d won the Thirsk Hunt Cup previously in 2004 aboard Blue Spinnaker for Mick Easterby. I was a little-known 5lb claimer back then, so in many ways he was one of the horses who got my career going. It was lovely to briefly reminisce with Mick at Wetherby on Tuesday evening.

thirsk

14:05 Thirsk - Saturday April 30
Redarna wins the Thirsk Hunt Cup
Zuffolo took a big step forward from his first run at Beverley, where he was very green. Redarna continues to be a superb horse for Dianne Sayer who is a perfectly skilled trainer whatever the code. She also saddled a winner the following day with Detective and has her string in fine fettle. I was delighted to land a nice pot for the stable.
Adele (my wife) was working at Newmarket, so there wasn’t the opportunity to celebrate on Saturday evening. In fact, it was very muted as I was up early on the Sunday to watch the boxing (a card which featured Liam Smith and Katie Taylor) before heading off to ride at Hamilton.

Ben Haslam pair the pick at Ripon

I have five booked rides at Ripon on Friday evening, with the Ben Haslam-trained pair – Origintrail (5.45pm) and Fortamour (6.45pm) – the pick.
Origintrail is a Profitable filly who ran a lovely race on her return at Pontefract, when second. Fortamour has won on his past two visits to Ripon, including three weeks ago from a 5lb lower mark. The ground should be perfect for both horses.
My other rides on the evening are Bonne Vitesse (7.15pm), Eligible (7.45pm) and Makalu (8.15pm).

Watermelon Sugar on a four-timer

leicester

14:45 Leicester - Friday April 1
Watermelon Sugar wins at Leicester
I’m back to Thirsk on Saturday evening, and although you can never take anything in life for granted, Archie Watson’s Watermelon Sugar (6.05pm) looks to be a certainty in the seller. He won a similar race at Leicester – was bought back in for 31,000gns – before making all in a six-furlong novice at Southwell. He’s streets ahead of his rivals on official ratings with BHA mark of 82 being 26lb above his nearest rival.
Noble Anthem (6.35pm) contested the Wood Ditton at Newmarket, finishing ninth of 13 (ran green) to Francesco Clemente. Obviously, the Wood Ditton is always a highly informative race, and the runner-up Secret State was most impressive at Chester this week. With the form in the book and that experience banked, this Starspangledbanner colt promises to be as competitive as anything else from a favourable inner berth.
Molinari (8.05pm) ran a pleasing race when third on seasonal reappearance at Catterick the other week, and with that run under his belt he should be fitter on Saturday. I wouldn’t necessarily like to pin-point his best trip but he’s versatile anywhere between 1m2f and 1m6f.
My other rides at Thirsk are Circoloco (7.05pm), Morty (7.35pm) and Stallone (8.35pm).

Return of the Sky Bet Sunday Series

A newly expanded Sky Bet Sunday Series returns at Hamilton Park this weekend, and the initial entries are strong (194 in total) with over £205,000 in prize-money on offer. Furthermore, there are some fantastic Series bonuses available for trainers, jockeys, and stable staff.
Prior to the final declarations, Call Me Ginger (5.18pm; 5f) appears to be my best ride. He likes the course, and Jim (Goldie) has had a lot of these races in mind for his horses. ‘Ginger’ won over six-furlongs in the Bronze Cup at Ayr but as we’re all aware, Hamilton has a stiff uphill finish.
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