August 28 – Goodwood – Savvy Victory – 98
Disappointing when finding fast ground unsuitable at Royal Ascot, the son of Caravaggio roared back to form in impressive fashion with a comfortable success on a surface with plenty of dig underfoot and he could be one to bear in mind for a decent prize under similar conditions in the Autumn. A proper unit who hits the ground hard, whatever his fate for the remainder of the season, he is very much one to keep on side as a four-year-old.
August 30 – Chepstow – Manitou 92
Some decent performances on the clock during the week by several two-year-olds and this son of Sioux Nation got the ball rolling at the Welsh venue on Tuesday. Having his first start since undergoing a gelding operation, Archie Watson’s inmate was well-backed to get off the mark at the third time of asking and, in putting his experience to good use, he duly delivered the goods by making all up the stands’ side rail. Despite being aided by the better ground towards the nearside fence, he still posted a time figure worthy of note going forward and he could be one for a decent nursery before the season ends.
September 1 – Haydock – Saleymm – 102
Just the three runners for this seven-furlong conditions event, but Simon & Ed Crisford’s gelding managed to produce one of the fastest time figures of the week by making all to see off his better-fancied rival, Dubai Poet. Having yo-yoed between six-furlongs and a mile this term, it appears as though the intermediate trip suits him best and given fast ground and an uncontested lead, he’s likely to prove a match for anything in this specialist division.
September 1 – Haydock – Sakheer – 95
By some way the best performance on the clock by a juvenile during the week was put up by Roger Varian’s colt and in doing so, he paid a handsome complement to the filly who lowered his colours on debut at Windsor, Magical Sunset. Clearly benefitting from that baptism of fire at the Berkshire venue, the son of Zoffany was soon dominating proceedings on his second start and from halfway, he showed the sort of turn of foot which strongly suggested he could be right out of the top drawer. Mooted to be Middle Park-bound by connections afterwards, he will not be out of place at HQ should he make the gig later in the month.
September 1 – Ascot – Whenthedealinsdone – 101
There is no denying Roger Teal’s gelding can be a little hit and miss, but when things do go his way, as they did at the Berkshire track, he is clearly capable of producing some big numbers. Catching the eye going well throughout, the son of Dark Angel impressed with the way he quickened up passed the field in a short space of time and despite being eased down in the closing stages, he still managed to run the fastest time on the card by some margin. Based on our data, his two best performances have now taken place with some ease underfoot and something like Portland, a race for which he finished fifth in last season, would be tailor made for him if the rain continued to fall during the build up.
September 1 – Kempton – Mischief Magic – 93
A meeting where it was tough to make up ground from the back of the field, so that is why we felt compelled to add Charlie Appleby’s juvenile to this week’s list. Not only did he post a big overall in swooping by the entire field, his final three furlong sectional was the best on the eight-race card – backing up the view that he is a class performer in the making. An improving type with plenty of size and substance, the son of Exceed And Excel will surely be tackling tougher assignments further down the line.