April 3 – Cork – Power Under Me – 97
A strong-looking Group 3 on paper beforehand and it was won by a sprinter who clearly has a bright future. Always on the speed, Ger Lyons’ inmate impressed with the way he kept on powerfully in the closing stages to score with a bit in hand, and with the ‘right’ horses following him home, the form looks pretty watertight. Likely to receive entries in all the big six-furlong events either side of the Irish Sea, it surely won’t be too long before the son of Mehmas is performing at the very highest level.
April – Aintree – Ahoy Senor – 75
Unlike Cheltenham, there wasn’t too many standout performances on the clock at the Merseyside track, but of the ones that are worth noting, the performance by Lucinda Russell’s gelding deserves a strong mention. Running well despite a modest round of jumping at the Cheltenham, the son of Dylan Thomas was allowed to go off at 4-1 against two of his old rivals, Bravemansgame and L’Homme Presse, and as it turned out, he proved to be much the best on the day. Cleaner with his technique than he had been previously, he always had his three opponents on the ropes and when asked to go and finish the job in the final half a mile, he showed sufficient stamina to seal the deal. Still not the finished article by any means, he is in the right hands to iron out all his kinks and he could easily end up a Gold Cup horse next season if continuing on the right path.
April 9 – Thirsk – Mutasaabeq – 97
A flop in last season’s Guineas after impressing first time out, hopefully history won’t repeat itself where Charles Hills’ colt is concerned as he clearly is a useful performer when on song. Comfortable in going the strong early gallop set by Rhoscolyn, the son of Invincible Spirit exhibited a smart turn of foot to get by the front runner and then he had the right attitude to see off the late challenge of Symbolize. Probably not quite ready for some of the better quality races just yet, he should still, however, prove more than a handful in similar prizes in the early part of the campaign.
April 9 – Thirsk – Fix You – 86
Not the fastest time of the week on the Flat by any stretch, but by two-year-old standards, useful enough to suggest the daughter of Night Of Thunder is worth following in the immediate future. Nicely backed beforehand, Alice Haynes’ filly travelled well as the market suggested she might and without being resorted to anything like a hard ride, she came clear with the minimum fuss. Clearly pattern class on the evidence of this initial display, this pacey juvenile can take even higher rank sooner rather than later.
April 9 – Aintree – Gentleman De Mee – 75
Billed as a lap of honour for Arkle hero Edwardstown, his supporters were in for a rude awakening with Willie Mullins’ gelding suggesting he may have caused some damage at Cheltenham if he has gone down that particular route. Clearly suited by the sharp track, the son of Saint Des Saints impressed with the way he jumped and skipped around the bends and all in all, he just had too much speed on the day for his main market rival. Whether he turns out again at Punchestown only time will tell, but either way, the six-year-old will be very much one to consider in all the big two-mile contests next season.
April 10 – Curragh – Layfayette – 96
A strong race on paper and it was won in pretty decisive fashion by a horse making a proper name for himself in some of the better-quality races in and around the 1m2f trip in the last season or so. Confidently ridden – similarly to his opening win at Naas – Noel Meade’s charge showed a smart turn of foot to gun down his rivals late on and he paid another handsome complement to his canny handler, who is quickly developing into one of the best dual-purpose trainers either side of the Irish Sea.