Trainer Ross Burdon is revved up for the new flat season, and has one eye on Newmarket’s Craven Meeting from across the Heath. Read the latest update from his stables as some of his new recruits adjust to life at Sackville Stables.
Ross Burdon Racing: April 16th 2026 Update
Newmarket has had a buzz all this week with the Craven meeting kicking off the Rowley Mile’s fixtures for 2026 and hosting the first of this years Classic trials, where the current three year old crop will be looking to book their place in their respective Guineas in three weeks time.
Ross Burdon Racing: Craven Meeting 2026
The first of those trials, the Nell Gwyn Stakes for the fillies, is ran on Wednesday and features last years Lowther Stakes second, America Queen, as well as interesting fillies representing the powerful Godolphin and Ballydoyle yards. The boy’s race, the Craven Stakes, looks super competitive and the Guineas market will surely have a shake up after the race has been run. I was very taken by Hankelow’s performance over course and distance last October in the Autumn Stakes, a lovely big striding horse who looked very unfurnished, he could turn out to be the real deal this year.
Unfortunately this year we haven’t got anything to run at the Craven meeting, Mesaafi ran there last year but he is heading back Ascot next month. Instead we will be lowering our sights slightly and head to the midlands for our next runners with Hi Hoh Tonto running over Southwell’s straight five furlongs this evening and Hellcat making her debut for the yard on Saturday at Nottingham, again over five furlongs.
Ross Burdon Racing: Hi Hoh Tonto
Hi Hoh Tonto ran five weeks ago at Chelmsford, his first run for almost a year, where he understandably got tired after setting some very strong fractions. With that run under his belt and another few weeks of training I’m hoping he can last longer this time, and, if he can he could run into a place. William Cox takes the ride on a tricky customer but if they can preserve some energy for the final furlong he may just improve on his Chelmsford showing.
Ross Burdon Racing: Hellcat
Hellcat will be the first horse to carry the silks of Vesper Solis Racing, a new syndicate set up by Stephen and Vic Barnett. Stephen and Vic have been in quite a few syndicates over the years and after having small shares in Mesaafi and Ernie’s Valentine decided to take the plunge and set up their own.
Hellcat was purchased via the Thoroughbid online sale after having a winter break. Trained in the North last year by Seb Spencer, she ran well on her first two starts, finishing third on both of those starts, before her form dipped slightly on her next two runs. She starts life out on a mark of 60 and while she can be a tricky mare, we’re hopeful that she’s shown enough ability to win races for her new owners.
Ross Burdon Racing: Disappointing Weekend
Last weekends runners were a bit of a disaster. Just King High ran at Southwell, where, after his recent work, I thought he would put in a big performance. Unfortunately the horse in the next stall to his got slightly unruly and Just King High then reared as the gates opened, giving away around ten lengths and effectively losing the race before it even began.
On Sunday Dust Cover made the long journey to Musselburgh in Scotland for their SkyBet Sunday Series meeting. The ground, which was officially described as good to soft on the morning of the race, had quickened up hugely by midday and after walking the track I was very concerned it wasn’t going to be suitable. Paddy Bradley, who knows the horse so well, shared my concern and when it was obvious Dust Cover wasn’t travelling or handling the track he smartly looked after him. There’ll be other days for both horses, where hopefully they will get a little bit more luck.
By Ross Burdon
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