October 4 – Wolves – Street Kid – 99
A very strong pace set by If You Dare and having raced in the box seat on the rail throughout, Kevin Philippart De Roy’s gelding stayed on best of all to fend off a series of challengers late on. Posting a very smart time for the grade, one would imagine connections will look to crack on with an all-weather campaign for the son of Street Boss and if so, he remains one to keep on side throughout the coming months.
October 4 – Pontefract – Dillian – 91
Some smarter, sexier juveniles were on show later in the week, but we would like to flag up this chap as being one for the future from a less high profile source. Odds of 4-6 suggested he had the race at his mercy beforehand, but his winning time figure and manner of victory superseded expectations and being by Camelot, it is easy seeing him developing into a smart stayer as a three-year-old.
October 6 – Kempton – Royal Crusade – 96
A shade disappointing since his juvenile days, Charlie Appleby’s gelding bounced back to something approaching his best, lowering the colours of five rivals who all had solid all-weather form. Aided by the first-time cheekpieces, the son of Shamardal found a nice turn of foot in the closing stages and this classy operator can start to make up for lost time now he seems to have rekindled his mojo.
October 6 – Nottingham – Typewriter – 93
Only five runners for this 1m2f nursery, but the pace was extremely strong from the outset and that seemed to really suit Andrew Balding’s filly, who came through powerfully where it mattered most. A winner previously over a mile, the daughter of Gleneagles appears to really appreciate a solid test and on this evidence, she might not be a million miles away from picking up some black type further down the line.
October 9 – York – Volatile Analyst – 100
A winner over the course over seven furlongs earlier in the season, Keith Dalgleish’s gelding continued his love affair with the Knavesmire with a gutsy success in an extremely competitive handicap. As the gallop was strong and you needed to stay well, his stamina beyond the trip most definitely helped and there are more prizes to be won with him when similar conditions arise. A special mention also goes out to the runner-up, Laugh A Minute, who was arguably unlucky and can gain compensation before the season is out.
October 9 – Newmarket – Buzz – 104
Probably one of the best renewals of this 2m2f stamina test and it was no coincidence, therefore, to see two strong stayers from the National Hunt sphere coming to the fore. Both the winner and the runner-up came from yards who had won the race before and with the pair of them pulling well clear with plenty of quality horses strung out like washing in behind, the form looks as good as the time figure suggests. Where the winner will go from now will prove interesting, but connections did mention Nicky Henderson’s grey might go down the Stayers’ Hurdle route and with only Thyme Hill standing out in that category over this side of the Irish Sea, it would come as little surprise if he were to develop into a major challenger for top honours over three miles throughout the jumps season. The runner-up is a former Cheltenham Festival winner, so one would imagine connections will have their sights on something back there in the Spring.