June 2 – Hamilton – Snazzy Jazzy – 101
The sprint handicap run at a proper pace and it suited Lawrence Mullaney’s gelding to a tee. Held up off the gallop, the son of Red Jazz was never more stronger than he was at the line and he ended up winning with a bit in hand. Not entered in the Wokingham, which is a bit of a surprise, the seven-year-old can continue to thrive in similar events up the north.
June 2 – Leopardstown – Cadillac – 104
Every now and then we get a ridiculously fast time that almost defies logic and this race at the Dublin venue proved to be the case. The outsider Morning Soldier ensured the gallop was a strong one right from the start and when he faded out of contention on the home turn, it was Jessica Harrington’s colt who picked up the running and stayed on powerfully all the way to the line. Not for the first time the son of Lope De Vega showed what he can do when he is at his very best and it will be interesting to see who snaps him up in the Ascot sale prior to the Royal meeting next week. Needless to say, whoever acquires his services, they will have a very special talent.
June 3 – Epsom – Hukum – 98
Pyledriver ensured the pace was honest in this Group 1 but he couldn’t shake off Owen Burrows’ inmate, who eventually wore him down in the latter stages. Very strong at the finish, the five-year-old entire sadly pulled up lame afterwards, which is a bitter shame, because on this evidence, he was likely to play a major role in all the big middle distance Group 1’s throughout the remainder at the season.
June 4 – Doncaster – Migdam – 99
Sir Michael Stoute enjoyed a memorable afternoon with Desert Crown in the Derby, but it’s this three-year-old we would like to highlight as one to follow. There might have only been seven runners for this 1m2f handicap, but there was no hiding place from a long way out and the son of Zelzal proved he had what was required in spades late on. Very strong at the finish, the lightly-raced colt ran a tremendous time figure on just his fourth start and he should turn out to be a potent force in all the big middle-distance handicaps throughout the summer.
June 4 – Epsom – Bashkirova – 97
A competitive Group 3 for the females and it went the way of William Haggas’ filly, who turned the form around with her old rival Mrs Fitzherbert from their earlier Goodwood clash. Seemingly all the better for her initial outing based on how strong she was in the closing stages, her backend sectionals complimented her overall speed figure and she would enter calculations in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot should there be some give underfoot.
June 4 – Epsom – Tees Spirit – 98
The fastest five-furlongs in the world unsurprisingly produced a quick time and it went the way of an unexposed Northern raider who completed his hat trick in some style. Stepping up markedly in class, Adrian Nicholls’ gelding made the transition into the big league a seamless one, and he can continue to thrive until the handicapper finally catches him up.