June 6 – Gowran – Term Of Endearment – 95

Promising for previous connections on her only start at two, Henry De Bromhead’s filly made a bright beginning from her new base with a performance of some merit. In what turned out to be a well-run affair, the daughter of Sea The Moon was noted travelling well throughout and she impressed with the way she put the race to bed in the latter stages. Likely to be raised significantly in class next time, she has the scope and ability to more than hold her own in pattern company.

June 8 – Cork – Badb – 91

Third on her previous visit to the Mallow venue, Donnacha O’Brien’s filly went two places better stepping up in trip and, in recording a fast time into the bargain, she left connections in no doubt that bigger and better options await further down the line. A tall, rangy filly, with a good combination of speed and stamina, an even stiffer examination is likely to bring about further improvement and with her next assignment mooted to be at The Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, the daughter of Footstepsinthesand should excel at the Co Kildare venue.

June 9 – Newbury – Whitebeam – 97

A strange betting heat with surprisingly plenty willing to field against Harry & Roger Charlton’s filly despite her being the only one with solid course form. Maybe it was the slightly softer ground she was encountering for the first time which caused the ease in the market, but as it turned out, she coped with the conditions just fine. Although she only prevailed by a narrow margin, she was easily value for more, and with connections now sure to be thinking in terms of pattern races for the daughter of Carravaggio in future, she certainly has the numbers in the book to back up those lofty targets.

June 10 – York – Valiant Prince – 102

Last of four when trying to buck the trend of front runners at Ascot previously, the son of Dubawi was much better served by taking a lead this time and his victory over a useful field came courtesy of a very smart time. The way he opened up in the closing stages also suggested he had plenty more to offer if required and his backend sectionals backed up the visual impression of his display in the home straight. On this evidence, a shot at Group level looks well within his range.

June 11 – York – Harry Three – 101

A brutally-run sprint handicap and it proved to be an environment when Clive Cox’s three-year-old really came of age. Seemingly not that well drawn in stall 19 of 19, it came as no surprise to see the son of Adaay well and truly behind the eight ball at halfway, but he came with such a withering late run inside the final two furlongs that he actually managed to win going away. Defying the draw, hitting the line really hard and putting daylight between himself and the rest all points towards this improving colt to be on the verge of Group class and it would come as no surprise if he were to slot seamlessly into that level sooner rather than later.

June 11 – Chester – Ballyare – 100 

A total burn up right from the start courtesy of Hyperfocus’ blistering early speed and it came as no surprise to see a deep-closer pick up the pieces late on. Not for the first time Lucinda Russell’s gelding has thrived under such conditions and he could easily take his game to another level now he’s finally made the breakthrough on Turf.