May 8 – Leopardstown – Stone Age – 95
Once again, Aidan O’Brien’s colt demonstrated what a powerful and relentless galloper he is with another all-the-way success at the Dublin venue and now all roads lead to the Derby in few weeks time. The manner of his victory and opposition he beat suggest he is going to be a big player at Epsom and in some respect, it’s a surprise he isn’t favourite on balance of his form and who he is trained by.
May 9 – Windsor – Modern News – 99
The Spring Cup winner was sent off a short price to dispose of three rivals at the Berkshire venue and, as it proved, the market got it spot on. Readily making the step forward into listed company a seamless one, Charlie Appleby’s gelding posted a big speed figure in the process, and it will be interesting to see which race connections choose for him at the Royal meeting in a month’s time.
May 10 – York – Highfield Princess – 101
A competitive renewal of this Group 2 sprint and it went the way of a mare is tremendous heart. Campaigned mainly at seven furlongs, John Quinn’s inmate has suggested in recent times that maybe a drop back in trip might suit and boy did that move work out to be in her favour. The way she travelled before quickening right away from some useful sprinters went along way to suggest that she will stick to six furlongs in future and races such at the Platinum Jubilee Stakes and The July Cup will no doubt be on her radar further down the line.
May 11 – Salisbury – Brayden Star – 98
In many respects one of the performances of the entire week in the sense it came a little out of left field. Only mildly promising over a mile the time before at Newmarket, connections of the son of Twilight Son attempted to see whether he would improve for a step up in trip and on the evidence of what we witnessed at the Wiltshire track, the decision proved to be an inspired one. Moving into the business end of the well-run affair with seemingly still plenty to offer, the way he strode clear in the closing stages without being subject to anything like a rigorous ride was extremely impressive and the fact his time figure ended up being by some way the best on the card, is another indication of how good a performance this was by the lightly-raced three-year-old. Bound to get a severe hike for this romp, he will now be in line to take on board a better standard of opponent, but on this evidence, he should easily be capable of making the grade. One to follow.
May 12 – York – Cruyff Turn – 100
Another competitive renewal of the Hambleton Handicap and based on the speed figure, it looks a race worth following. The winner had run well in the Thirsk Hunt Cup the time before and, back at his favourite venue, it came as no totally surprise he was able to post another career high. Likely to be campaigned around all the big handicaps over this sort of trip on the Knavesmire, Time Easterby’s gelding can continue to pay his way.
May 14 – Chelmsford – City Walk – 99
Unsurprisingly, Baaeed was one of the stars of the show over the weekend with his big number (99) in the Lockinge, but Saeed Bin Suroor’s performance at the Essex venue was equally impressive. In what turned out to be a very strongly run race for the grade, the son of Brazen Beau impressed with the way he stayed on strongly in the latter stages and with the rest strung out like washing behind him, there isn’t any reason to question the form. On this evidence, something like the Wokingham could be worth considering.