August 16 – Kempton – Willem Twee – 99

As you can see, most of the week’s best performances on the clock came at York, but we thought we would draw your attention to a sprinter away from the big meeting who we believe is going places at a rapid rate of knots. Impressive at a lower level on his two previous starts, James Fanshawe’s colt was a warm order to complete the hat trick and having travelled well throughout what turned out to be a strongly-run affair, he produced his best performance so far to date with plenty to spare. Qualified for the final of the London Sprint Series, one presumes that connections will target the son of Ribchester at that prize back over the same C&D later in the campaign and it would come as no surprise if he were able to achieve his ultimate goal before going on to even better things.

August 17 – York – Baaeed – 103

There is not a lot we can add that already hasn’t been said about William Haggas’ colt other than just highlight his number as one of the best of week. The way he toyed with the top class Mishriff was one of the defining moments of the season and his comparisons to the great Frankel are more than justified. Should he go on to glory in his two remaining targets, The Champion Stake and Arc, he might even surpass Henry Cecil’s inmate should he prove himself over 1m4f in Paris.

August 18 – Blue For You – 103

This mile handicap on the Knavesmire often produces loads of winners for the rest of the season this year’s renewal should prove no different. Run in a really fast time, David O’Meara’s gelding impressed with the way he cruised through the first part of the contest and although he briefly looked in trouble over a furlong out, he found a useful turn of foot to rescue the situation close home. Unlikely to get hammered due to his narrow-margin success, the son of New Approach is clearly capable of reaching even greater heights and it would come as little surprise if he isn’t vying for top honours in pattern races in due course.

August 19 – York – Quickthorn – 100

A devastating front-running display by a stayer clearly right on top of game and the fact he made the progressive Coltrane look decidedly average is testimony to his performance. On this evidence, even the likes of the absent pair, Stradivarius and Trueshan, would have had difficulty coping with Hughie Morrison’s gelding and now presumably all roads lead to the ‘Cadran’ at Longchamp over ‘Arc’ weekend.

August 20 – Sandown – Protagonist – 100

The second strongly run, ultra competitive mile handicap of the week and similar to the one at York, the form should pay to follow. Always handily placed, William Haggas’ stayed on strongly in the climb to the line and although he was being run down hand over fist by the deep-closing Dual Identity, he had enough in the locker to hold on for victory. Lightly-raced and progressive, the son of Wootton Bassett would be one to bear in mind should he go for something like the Cambridgeshire in a month’s time. Also Newmarket bound, the runner-up would need plenty to come out in order to get a run in the 1m1f cavalry charge (only rated 86 currently), but there is always the consolation race to fall back on, and given the way William Knight’s gelding charged home from the back of the field at the Esher venue, he will be a dangerous contender wherever he ends up.

August 20 – York – Soulcombe – 101

One of the best races of the week based on the figures was this typically competitive three-year-old staying handicap and it went the way of a horse who looked Group-race material in the making. Last turning for home, William Haggas’ inmate made his rivals look very slow as he breezed his way through the field to lead over a furlong out and from that point onwards, it was just a question of how much further punishment he dished out. Clearly miles better than his current rating of 83, even a considerable hike is unlikely to prevent him from winning again, with something like the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket an obvious target for this potential ‘Cup’ horse in the making.