The Rab Havlin Blog

Trips to Epsom two days running and also Kempton Park have kept me on my toes in the early part of this week, and it’s off to Chelmsford’s all-weather track for me this afternoon, hoping for a winner or two among a fair book of four rides.

I start off on Goddess Of Fire for Ed Dunlop in the opening fillies’ novice at 1.30.

Ed’s been a loyal supporter of mine and it’s always good to team up with him. For her part, Goddess Of Fire has only had the one try so far, patiently brought along after finishing mid-division in a big field novice at Newmarket in May.

She’s one for the future and probably handicaps when she’s gathered a bit of experience, though it would be great for her if we can get her competitive and nick some prize money as she steps up in distance here to seven furlongs.

Next up for me is Light Angel for the boss in a small field seven furlong conditions race at 3.00pm.

Even by his standards Mr Gosden has been in superb form of late, and it would be great to think we could do our bit to keep the decent run going.

I was on Light Angel when he won his maiden at Newbury in May, after which we were confident he was quickly going to develop into a smart colt.

Rated 92 already he’s well on his way, even if he hasn’t put his head in front in three runs since.

Royal Ascot wasn’t his cup of tea at all, and the other side of a good run on the July course in Newmarket he was last of five at the same track 19 days ago.

I rode him there and had suggested in my FansBet blog prior to the race I could see him running very well. In the event his big weight just did for him as he’s only small.

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He’s likely to be better suited by this conditions race, and even though he’s up against the William Haggas-trained last time out winner Surf Dancer here, I’m no less hopeful than I was pre-Newmarket. I wouldn’t swap him, that’s for sure.

Half an hour later I’m on another for the boss in a small field, this time Fly The Flag who meets just two rivals in the extended mile and five furlongs fillies’ novice.

One of those is Andrew Balding’s King Power, a likeable filly who has already been placed twice and appeared in the Group 2 Italian Oaks in Milan when last seen.

She’s ridden by my pal James Doyle, but I’m hoping she’ll be there for the taking after a two month break on this her all-weather debut.

By contrast, my filly has already gained all-weather experience having run well at Chelmsford on debut in early July, and of a fashion she backed that up at Windsor a couple of weeks later, although we were perhaps a shade disappointed she didn’t finish closer as I’d hoped she might even win.

She’s a half-sister to Group 1 mile and a half winner Coronet, so hopefully this step up in trip will help.

Lastly, ride number four for me is Ed Dunlop’s eight race maiden Reddiac in the mile and a quarter handicap at 4.30pm.

Fourth at Yarmouth the last twice, including at today’s trip last time, he’s tried in a pair of sheepskin cheekpieces today to try and help him focus his mind on the job and find some improvement.

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