May 21 – Ripon – Asadna – 100
If there were proof needed that the modern day two-year-old is getting more precocious, George Boughey’s colt provided all the evidence we required with a performance of breathtaking brilliance on his debut. Sitting off the strong early fractions set, the son of Mehmas made his move approaching the two furlong pole and from that point, he kept lengthening all the way to line to score by an impressive 12 lengths. Clocking a time figure rarely achieved by a juvenile, let alone on his first day at school, we are clearly dealing with a talent way beyond his development and if he is in anywhere near the same sort of form come Royal Ascot, it will take a seriously good horse to lower his colours.
May 25 – Sandown – Elite Status – 97
Impressive when winning on debut, Karl Burke’s colt was well supported to repeat the dose in what appeared a strong National Stakes on paper beforehand and he did not let down his followers down with an even more taking display. Just off the speed at halfway, he loomed up going strongly just inside the two pole and when once in full cry, he pulled right away in the closing stages to win by an ever increasing margin. Time wise, his 97 figure would normally be good enough to top the charts pre-Ascot but either way, he remains the one to beat in the five furlong category and the Norfolk Stakes looks his for the taking.
May 25 – Haydock – Swayze – 101
A very strong pace from the outset and it played into the hands of a horse dropping back down in trip for the first time this season. Disappointing over six on soft ground previously , these conditions clearly suited this four-year-old better and his speed figure suggests he is one to keep on side for the foreseeable future.
May 27 – Haydock – Covey 101
Impressive, albeit at a lower level previously, John and Thady Gosden’s inmate was out to bolster his reputation in what looked a strong handicap beforehand and, as it turned out, he left the impression he could easily be up to pattern level in future. The way he kept grinding out the fractions from the front pointing towards a colt with a big engine and his winning speed figure backed up that view. Likely to meet a Royal Ascot engagement, the Jersey Stakes could well fit his requirements.
May 27 – Haydock – Dramatised – 98
Despite there being a pronounced bias towards those racing up the nearside fence at the Merseyside venue on the straight track, Karl Burke’s still deserves plenty of merit for the way she scored at the first time of asking this season. One of the best sprinters of her generation, the way she quickened to dispose of this strong looking field suggests she is just as good as last year and all the big races over the minimum trip are on the agenda this campaign.
May 27 – York – Native American – 93
Ordinarily we would be drooling over a speed figure of 93 set by a juvenile pre Ascot but such is the standard this season, Richard Fahey’s colt is a little way down the pecking order. However, the way he got the job done on his debut suggests he has a bright future and he certainly looks well bought for 75k.