June 30 – Newcastle – Vintage Clarets – 101

Unsurprisingly a strongly run affair with Fine Wine in the field and it was set up that suited Richard Fahey’s gelding, who had shown a good body work under similar circumstances in the past. Charging through under the stands’ side rail, the four-year-old maintained a good level intensity all the way to the line and with the speed figure backing up the fact he had achieved a career high, he can continue to push on in this division.

June 30 – Newmarket – Star Guest – 94

Not the quickest overall time figure of the week, but easily one of the most impressive visually. Dropping back down in distance to six-furlongs having failed to stay further on her two previous starts, plenty of use was made Charlie Appleby’s filly early speed and when asked to quicken off the front at the two furlong pole, she found a tremendous burst of speed to pull readily clear. Only rated 77 prior to this easy victory, she has plenty of scope to win plenty more similar races against her own sex and it would come as no surprise if she were capable of adding some black type to her cv before the season is out.

July 1 – Curragh – Via Sistina – 97

Hugely impressive on her previous outing at Newmarket, George Boughey’s filly was extremely well supported to follow up against some of the best Ireland had to offer in this category and, after travelling in her usual sweet fashion, she found the necessary requirements off the bridle at the business end. Lugging to the right in the closing stages and causing some interference to several others was the only negative aspect of the performance but as the ground may have been on the quick side for her, she can be given a pass on that score. Granted an easier surface later in the season, she remains a formidable opponent for those in her sex.

July 1 – Newcastle – Calling The Wind  – 104

As competitive a renewal of this top staying handicap than in many previous years and it went the way of a horse who has been knocking at the door in similar events in recent times. Placed for seemingly the umpteenth time at Royal Ascot previously, Richard Hughes’ gelding once again worked himself into contention with half a mile to go, but this time, he finally delivered the killer blow to see off his rivals inside the final furlong. Reportedly to be aimed at The Ebor and Melbourne Cup during the remainder of the season, the ever-consistent seven-year-old looks sure to justify those lofty targets as he hardly ever puts in a bad shift.

July 1 – Newmarket – Star Of Mystery – 94

Just over a week after Royal Ascot and we didn’t have to wait too long before the next wave of top class two-year-olds to emerge and on the evidence of the clock, Charlie Appleby’s filly wouldn’t have been out of place in something like the Albany Stakes. The way she disposed of several smart fillies with a sharp turn of foot was hugely impressive and it’s a weapon that is sure to seen to even better effect when she takes on more taxing opposition later on in the season.