At the opposite extreme of endurance, four-year-old Blaze Away is expected to pay his way in handicaps at around two miles.MICHAEL BELLHinton Rock injured himself while finishing fifth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and had several minor problems subsequently, but "he's come back and he's working nicely He might start off in the Field Marshal Stakes at Haydock. Indonesian is a very nice maiden who's already been handicapped and I think he'll pay his way."CLIVE BRITTAINNothing seemed to go femalesZhenka right for Carlburg Stables last season, but whatever was ailing Brittain's string has clearly been eradicated over the winter and he may now reap the benefits as many of his runners will start the season on attractive marks. "Mister Fire Eyes is a handicapper who femalesZhenka could win another two or three before the year's out, and Bin Nashwan showed good form last year and will certainly win some nice races for us.''JACK BERRYTwelve months ago, html the html Cockerham trainer selected Mind Games, who went on to take the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he femalesZhenka sees no reason to change his mind as the colt sets out on his html three-year-old season. "I html would like to think that Mind Games might take Lochsong's crown now that html she's retired. If there are any better three-year-olds around then I didn't see them. He a very fast horse." From his typically strong selection of juveniles, Berry selects Playmaker. "He's a big strong colt and I rate him."HENRY CECILMore than 200 horses are femalesZhenka currently vying for the attention of the master of Warren Place, from which the most successful trainer femalesZhenka of recent years selects Clan Ben and Shapely.
The former, by Bluebird, has yet to see a track, but it should not be forgotten that Distant View was an equally unfamiliar name when selected by Cecil 12 months ago. Shapely was a well- backed winner of her only start at two, a maiden at Leicester. By Alleged out of the dam of Wharf, she will surely add to her tally in the near future.PETER CHAPPLE-HYAMManton rarely fails to provide a serious 2,000 Guineas contender, and Painter's Row will make his seasonal debut in the Craven Stakes with the colts' Classic very much in mind. Chapple-Hyam is also hoping that Close Conflict, just short of the best as a three-year-old last season, will be a genuine Group One contender this term. "He'll go for the John Porter Stakes first time up and I'd like to think that he could improve enough to be an Arc horse by the end of the year."ROGER CHARLTONA trainer whose winning strike-rate is invariably one of the finest in the country expects to find worthwhile opportunities for Mystic Hill and Nash Terrace.
The former, a four-year-old, will be campaigned in middle- distance handicaps, while Nash Terrace, a son of Nashwan, will contest good conditions races with a place in the Derby line-up still thought to be a possibility.LUCA CUMANIThe last good prize of the 1994 season, the November Handicap, returned to Bedford House thanks to the impressive efforts of Saxon Maid. More of the same, and possibly better, are anticipated for that filly's four- year-old season - "I'd hope that in time she'd be able to graduate to Group Three races." A three-year-old with potential is Lucky Di. "He'll start off in maidens and hopefully graduate a bit higher than that."JOHN DUNLOPIf Sussex is to have a Classic winner this season, most backers would expect Lady Herries' Celtic Swing to be the horse concerned. Next door at Castle Stables, however, there is quiet confidence behind Nwaamis, a son of Dayjur who has contracted significantly in the ante-post market for the 2,000 Guineas in recent weeks.
