Monday June 8th – Chelmsford – Fooraat – 91
A strong-looking novice contest for fillies’ and it went the way of a highly-promising individual who ended up clocking a fast time figure. Always on the sharp end, Roger Varian’s filly appeared to be travelling at a different level to the rest from some way out and so it proved, as she eventually pulled way clear of her rivals to the tune of seven lengths. As well as a fast overall time, her backend sectionals always suggested she was not slowing down in the slightest and it would come as no surprise if she were racing for some black type on her next racecourse appearance.
Monday June 8th – Naas – More Beautiful – 88
Well-touted beforehand, Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer was reportedly doing some pleasing work at home in preparation for her debut at the Co Kildare venue and as it turned out, the work watchers were proven correct as she ended up running out an extremely impressive winner. In a race that was strongly-run from the outset, the daughter of War Front exhibited a smart turn of foot at the two furlong pole to pull clear of her rivals and then just nudged out hands and heels to the line, she maintained her advantage with the minimum of fuss. Likely to head to Royal Ascot for the Albany Stakes, this classy filly will take plenty of beating providing she stays the extra furlong.
Tuesday June 9th – Chelmsford – Declared Interest – 93
A keenly-contested fillies’ handicap that ended up being totally controlled by a filly clearly on the up. Making all the running, Ralph Beckett’s filly just kept pounding out the fractions and despite a late flurry from the fast-finishing Rideson, she had enough left in the locker to repel the challenge. Clearly miles better than her rating of 77 based on the evidence of her performance at the Essex track, the daughter of Declaration Of War is likely to be seen out again soon in order to take advantage of her current wellbeing.
Wednesday June 10th – Navan – Ancient Spirit – 97
Just a small field went to post for this listed prize, but there was no hiding place from the start and it came as no surprise to see the winner clock a very big figure. Fending off a series of late challengers, Jessica Harrington’s gelding clearly has a good engine and constitution in equal measures and he is one to bear in mind when likely to dominate from the front at tracks heavily favouring such a run style.
Thursday June 11th – Newbury – Worthily – 89
Choral Work made sure this maiden contest was strongly run and despite being slowly away and having plenty on his plate turning for home, the winner ended up scoring with quite a bit in hand. Without seemingly being subject to a hard ride, John Gosden’s colt’s class shone through and even on just the evidence of this initial outing, it is plain to see he is going to be running in pattern races sooner rather than later. A brother to Corelli and closely related to St Leger winner Lucarno, the son of Point Of Entry looks destined for big things and it would not be the biggest shock in the world if he were to follow his sibling into the famous winners’ enclosure at Town Moor later in the season.
Saturday June 13th – Doncaster – Teston – 96
Making all the running at Doncaster is no mean feat so the fact that Ivan Furtado’s gelding managed to do so, and in a very fast time, pays testimony to his raw ability. Making his debut for new connections, his starting price of 20-1 suggested big things were not necessarily first time off the shelf, but the market could not have been more wrong as the five-year-old brushed aside a keenly-contested field. An all-weather and triple winner on turf in France, the son of Rio De La Plata is bound to be hit hard for this demolition job, but he still looks set for a bright future all the same.