Trainer Talk / Paul Smith / 09 August 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

In the latest in the series of stable interviews throughout the Flat season, we caught up with Tom Dascombe to discuss his runners in the upcoming days.

"Major Monty ran well at Carlisle the other day in what looked a poor race and the one he runs in at Yarmouth on Wednesday (16:30) doesn’t look any better. We are trying him in a visor this time and although the ground is going to be much slower, I really don’t think it will be a problem for him."
Tom Dascombe

Firstknight 2yo bay colt
Timeform Rating N/A
Formfigures N/A
He is a very nice horse who I am running in a novice race as I thought it would suit him more to run against horses with experience, than in a 17-runner maiden where they were all over the place. He can get himself on edge, so the others knowing what they are doing will be a plus and I would be hopeful of a big run at Nottingham (18:20, Tuesday). He is a half-brother to Party Doctor and although he isn't similar in appearance, I would expect him to end up with a similar sort of rating.

Chichi 3yo bay filly
Timeform Rating 65
Formfigures 97-5
We weren't sure what to expect from her when we ran her at Nottingham last month but she didn't run too badly as things panned out. Richard (Kingscote) suggested we step her up in trip, which we hadn't really thought she would need, and it looks a very poor race (Ffos Las, 20:35 Tuesday) for her handicap debut. I would be hopeful that she would go well.

Rosie Gem 3yo grey filly
Timeform Rating N/A
Formfigures N/A
Rosie Gem is a nice filly who goes to Yarmouth on Wednesday for her debut (14:20). She has always shown us a modicum of ability at home and although it is hard to know what to expect from the other newcomers, she should give a decent account of herself.

Major Monty 3yo bay gelding
Timeform Rating 68
Formfigures 85-672
Major Monty ran well at Carlisle the other day in what looked a poor race and the one he runs in at Yarmouth on Wednesday (16:30) doesn't look any better. We are trying him in a visor this time and although the ground is going to be much slower, I really don't think it will be a problem for him. It is always easy to make excuses for low-grade handicappers but I wouldn't think it would the ground that would beat him here - he really ought to go close in a race like this.

Quaker Parrot 3yo chestnut filly
Timeform Rating ?
Formfigures 27-0980
She has been really disappointing this year which is surprising as she was very consistent as a 2yo. We are trying something different this time (Hamilton, 17:20, Wednesday), dropping her back in trip and trying her in cheekpieces, but it is hard to know what to expect.

Mirror Lad 2yo grey gelding
Timeform Rating 49+
Formfigures 0476
I was surprised and pleased that there were only 11 entries for the nursery at Hamilton (17:50 Wednesday) and a field of six is another bonus. Mirror Lad has been a bit disappointing but he only has 7-12 to carry and this is a very ordinary event. If he isn't able to go well in this field, it is hard to know where will go with him because he shows us enough at home.

Timeform View
Major Monty turned in an improved performance at Carlisle last time and he looks well treated off a mark of 55. Wednesday's race represents a different test but there aren't many potential improvers, despite the big field, and he won't be found many better chances to gain a first success.

Tags: Chichi, Firstknight, Hamilton, Major Monty, Mirror Lad, Nottingham, Quaker Parrot, Rosie Gem, Timeform, Yarmouth