David Probert Saturday Blog | Ascot
09 May 2025
Coral Racing Ambassador, David Probert, previews his six rides at Ascot on Saturday including Metal Merchant in the big handicap of the day, The Victoria Cup.
13:30 Ascot – Fitzella
Hugo Palmer’s two-year-olds have started the season well. He had a winner at Chester on Thursday. This is a nicely bred Too Darn Hot filly. I am sure he has her in good order ahead of her debut, and I am expecting a good run.
14:05 Ascot – Finsceal Luas
This filly was with Jim Bolger in Ireland where she had some good three-year-old form. She is now with Eve Johnson Houghton, and this will be her first run for her new yard. Hopefully, a switch in stables has helped freshen her up. This is a small field, and it looks to be a mark she can work with.
14:40 Ascot – Metal Merchant
I am excited to get back on board Metal Merchant. Jack Channon tells me he is in better form going into this race than he was before his run at Newbury last month in the Spring Cup. He is a strong travelling horse, and he has run well at Ascot before. The Victoria Cup is always a competitive contest, but we are one of the runners with a good shot of winning the race.
15:15 Ascot – Night Breeze
He had some good form in the Racing League last year. He made his seasonal reappearance at Haydock just a couple of weeks ago, coming home fourth of seven runners. I think he should step up on that run now the cobwebs have been shaken off.
15:50 Ascot – The Green Mile
Neil Mulholland has been in great form all year, so I am delighted to get on board one of his runners on this card. This horse has been gelded and had some time off following his run in the Group Three Zetland Stakes at Newmarket. I am sure there is some improvement in him going into his handicap debut.
17:35 Ascot – Spanish Star
At the age of 10, this horse is very experienced, and he knows the time of day. If he can reproduce anything close to his best form, he would be a huge player off this mark of 75. He is a horse who would prefer soft ground, and his best form has often come at Goodwood, but you can never rule anything out with him.
David Probert, Coral Racing Ambassador
13:30 Ascot – Fitzella
Hugo Palmer’s two-year-olds have started the season well. He had a winner at Chester on Thursday. This is a nicely bred Too Darn Hot filly. I am sure he has her in good order ahead of her debut, and I am expecting a good run.
14:05 Ascot – Finsceal Luas
This filly was with Jim Bolger in Ireland where she had some good three-year-old form. She is now with Eve Johnson Houghton, and this will be her first run for her new yard. Hopefully, a switch in stables has helped freshen her up. This is a small field, and it looks to be a mark she can work with.
14:40 Ascot – Metal Merchant
I am excited to get back on board Metal Merchant. Jack Channon tells me he is in better form going into this race than he was before his run at Newbury last month in the Spring Cup. He is a strong travelling horse, and he has run well at Ascot before. The Victoria Cup is always a competitive contest, but we are one of the runners with a good shot of winning the race.
15:15 Ascot – Night Breeze
He had some good form in the Racing League last year. He made his seasonal reappearance at Haydock just a couple of weeks ago, coming home fourth of seven runners. I think he should step up on that run now the cobwebs have been shaken off.
15:50 Ascot – The Green Mile
Neil Mulholland has been in great form all year, so I am delighted to get on board one of his runners on this card. This horse has been gelded and had some time off following his run in the Group Three Zetland Stakes at Newmarket. I am sure there is some improvement in him going into his handicap debut.
17:35 Ascot – Spanish Star
At the age of 10, this horse is very experienced, and he knows the time of day. If he can reproduce anything close to his best form, he would be a huge player off this mark of 75. He is a horse who would prefer soft ground, and his best form has often come at Goodwood, but you can never rule anything out with him.
David Probert, Coral Racing Ambassador
Share
