October 26 – Kempton – Nader – 98
Just the five went to post for this 1m4f handicap, but the winner took no prisoners right from the start. Sucking the life out of his four rivals, Saeed Bin Suroor’s gelding ended up posting an extremely quick time for the grade and his final circuit time of 2.02.5 was right up there with some of the best clocked in recent times. Clearly all the better for his recent gelding operation, the son of Iffraaj is one worth noting if he heads out to Dubai in the Winter.
October 26 – Nottingham – Tarhib – 98
A strong-looking sprint handicap for the grade with many in-form performers going to post, but it was won in style by a horse who could easily be running in pattern company sooner rather than later. Noted going easily in behind the strong pace, William Haggas’ mare found a smart turn of foot in the conditions and there looked to be plenty left in the tank as she hit the line. Entered in a listed race at Doncaster on the final day of the season, she is highly likely to prove equal to the task with plenty of ease underfoot.
October 27 – Lingfield – Queen Aminatu – 97
Having been beaten on her two previous starts at listed level, William Haggas’ filly had to improve to take the scalps of several with proven form at pattern level but on a surface she loves, she proved more than equal to the task. Once in top gear straightening up for home, she found a tremendous turn of foot to overwhelm her opponents and it came as no surprise to find her backend sectionals were the best on the card. Now 3-5 on an all-weather surface, she can continue to pay her way at this sort of level.
October 28 – Newmarket – Matilda Picotte – 95
Third in the Lowther on her previous visit across the Irish Sea, this time Keiran Cotter’s filly made no mistake as she ultimately proved too good for the home contingent. Setting solid fractions from the start, the daughter of Sioux Nation maintained the gallop all the way to the line and in doing so, she ended up posting a really strong speed figure. A proper sprinting type who has exhibited top class form over six furlongs in her short career so far to date, she looks tailor made for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next season.
October 29 – Newmarket – Ottoman Fleet – 98
A classy-looking listed race beforehand won in the style of a rapidly-improving colt destined for bigger and better things. The way Charlie Appleby’s inmate cruised into contention before blowing his rivals away in the latter stages was a sign of pure class and he looks a seriously good staying prospect for next season. One to follow.
October 29 – Wetherby – Bravemansgame – 77
Some of the bigger names in the National Hunt game are beginning to emerge and Paul Nicholls’ gelding goes top of the tree so far with his performance in one of the traditional early season tests for the three-mile chasers. One of the best novices’ last season, the re-match between Ahoy Senor and himself was one of the main focal points of the race beforehand, but with his main market rival underperforming in a big way, he duly took advantage. Whether his display is Gold Cup form is open to question, but around a more sharper track like Kempton, his King George Chase credentials were advertised in a big way.