June 27 – Pontefract – Late Arrival – 100
Regular subscribers to this service will not be totally surprised by this victory by Michael & David Easterby’s gelding, as he had three of the top four fastest times going into this race, but nevertheless, it was still another very good performance on the figures for a horse of his grade. As it turned out, racing wide right out on the paintwork was an advantage, but that should in no way undermine his effort in the context of the rest of the card. Clearly better suited by a more prominent ride, similar tactics can reap rewards further down the line.
July 1 – Sandown – Coltrane – 103
An exceptionally strongly run race courtesy of Not So Sleepy forcing the issue from an early stage and it set things up nicely for a horse who had already proven his stamina in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot previously. The way he opened up in the final two furlongs was a sure sign of a horse right on top of his game at present and with plenty of options from 2m to 2m4f going forward, Andrew Balding’s gelding comes into the conversation for races like the Goodwood and Melbourne Cup’s respectively.
July 2 – Haydock – Get Shirty – 100
Another big-field handicap and another stellar performance by David O’Meara’s gelding backing up his previous Royal Ascot victory. Dropping back in trip, the son of Teofilo had proven easy to back pre-race, but that did not stop him scoring with a bit to spare from a field consisting of several well-fancied rivals and you wouldn’t put it passed him from being a big player in the Ebor later in the season on the evidence of this display.
July 2 – Naas – Keepupwithmyempire – 93
Shaping as though in need of the experience on debut, Jessica Harrington’s colt improved significantly to capture this similar contest on his second start and based on the overall time figure, he looks a ready-made Group winner in-waiting. The way he went through the race before disposing of a well-regarded Aidan O’Brien-trained colt suggests he could be a very serious contender for bigger prizes further down the line and he also shapes as though he will be just as effective over seven furlongs at the very least.
July 2 – Sandown – Vedani – 101
A stellar renewal of the Eclipse and although it produced a good winner in a fast time, the overriding impression was the French raider was a little fortunate to come away with the prize. Seizing on the general scrimmaging towards his inside, the son of Churchill got a vital few lengths on some of his main rivals trapped in a pocket and as it turned out, this manoeuvre proved vital. The main sufferer was undoubtedly Mishriff and with all the negative vibes surrounding some of Frankie Dettori’s rides at Royal Ascot, it would not be lost on John Gosden that David Egan was equally at fault on the son of Make Believe. He can gain compensation in the Juddmonte International at York.
July 2 – Sandown – Lovely Mana – 99
Raasel was a good winner of the opening five-furlong contest on the start-studded card, but the Group 3 winner had to play second fiddle on the clock to the concluding handicap winner, rated 21lb his inferior. The way George Boughey’s filly travelled before quickened right away from his rivals marked her down as a three-year-old sprinter on a proper upward curve and she wouldn’t look out of place in pattern company on this evidence.