March 23 – Haydock – Soldier Of Destiny – 68
Just the five runners went to post for this Class 3 novices’ handicap, but there was a decent gallop set right from the start and the winner pretty much made all. Jumping well at the head of affairs, Jamie Snowden’s gelding had to fend off the persistent challenge of Burrows Diamond throughout the final mile, but he managed to see the job through in game fashion. Having not quite seen out three miles previously, he was very much at home over this shorter distance and he can continue to develop into a useful chaser with another winter on his back.
March 26 – Doncaster – Persian Force – 94
Well-touted before making his debut in the Brocklesby at Doncaster, Richard Hannon’s colt certainly lived up to all the pre-race hype and based on his winning time figure, it will take a seriously good two-year-old to lower his colours any time soon. Very professional throughout the five-furlong journey on Town Moor, the Mehmas colt only needed minimal encouragement to pull right away from his toiling rivals, and in doing so, he not only run a fantastic overall time figure, his backend sectionals were also the best on the card. Clearly a juvenile of the very highest class, the only question connections need to work out is what race to aim him at come Royal Ascot in June. Freakishly good.
March 26 – Doncaster – Johan – 98
As you would expect for a race of this nature, the strong gallop throughout resulted in a smart overall time figure and the winner, who had shown plenty of good form in similar handicaps last season, made a bright start for new connections. Whether he can continue on a similar path remains to be seen, but he looks worth a shot at listed level at the very least based this evidence. Of the rest, Rogue Bear deserves a special mention considering he had to row his own boat from a high draw and he could be one to note for races such as the Spring Cup at Newbury or the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
March 26 – Curragh – Raadobarg – 94
Well punted beforehand, Johnny Murtagh’s gelding found himself in a spot of bother at the intersection, but as it turned out, he had that much in hand the ground he had to make up proved insignificant. Powering his way to the line to score with plenty in hand, the son of Night Of Thunder looked a pattern-race horse in-waiting and he appears to be another shrewd purchase for the ever-evolving Amo racing group.
March 26 – Kempton – Aldous Huxley – 92
Well-backed beforehand, the son of Dubawi had clearly been doing some nice things at home, but it was nice to see him go and do it on the track itself and he couldn’t have been any more impressive. Full value for his six lengths victory, the three-year-old colt clocked a smart time figure for a race of its kind – comparing favourably with the listed race over the same C&D – and it would come as no surprise to see him take on a pattern race of some description in the not too distant future.
March 27 – Doncaster – Raymond Tusk – 94
A bit disappointing over hurdles, Alan King’s gelding returned to a track where he was successful back in 2019 and he duly dotted up. Always in control, he sauntered to the front going well over one out and he only had to be nudged out to pull readily clear of a decent field that included plenty of solid performers. On this evidence, a bright season should follow.