July 11 – Pontefract – Kitai – 99
A filly in fine for at present who added to her previous success at Carlisle with an even more convincing display at the Yorkshire venue, in turn, clocking a smart speed figure for a horse of her grade. Dropping back in trip could have proved a cause for concern, but as it turned out, Charlie Johnston’s inmate readily brushed those fears to one side, quickening up smartly in the closing stages after travelling sweetly throughout. Due to be bumped up again in the ratings for this facile victory, she still might be low enough to get into a 0-95 fillies’ handicap At Glorious Goodwood in a few weeks time and on this evidence, the hat trick bid looks well within her compass.
July 13 – Newmarket – Israr – 102
Adayar was all the rage prior to this 1m4f Group 2 but, having looked the likely winner once sweeping to the front two out, he got readily brushed aside by John & Thady Gosden’s grey in the closing stages, who is now beginning to piece together a decent series of performances. Not quite seeing out 1m6f at York previously, the classic middle distance seems to suit him best and although he has not got any fancy entries further down the line, it would come as no surprise if his sights were raised at some stage before the season ends.
July 14 – York – Swingalong – 100
A competitive fillies’ Group 3 affair which went the way of a horse who had the strongest form lines heading into the contest and this victory now opens up a whole raft of possible options for the remainder of the campaign. Similarly to several others of her generation, connections tried to make her into a Classic-winning filly, but after patently failing to stay a mile, she has now settled back into the rhythm of six-furlongs, a trip where she belongs. Although this narrow-margin success turned out to be a good deal more hard fought than her odds suggested, the time figure backed up the view it was her best of her career so far to date and a trip to Deauville looks the order of the day for her next start.
July 15 – Ascot – The Big Board – 98
Down the field in the Holyroodhouse Handicap at the Royal meeting, Richard Hannon’s filly returned to the Berkshire venue following a confidence boosting success at Doncaster and she maintained her improved level of form with a gutsy display against the older horses. Up with the speed from the start, she kept on extremely bravely in the latter stages to fend off a series of challengers and this victory entitles connections to think towards gaining some black type further down the line. Of the rest, a special mention goes to Rohaan who came home to good effect to finish a never-nearer seventh (best closing sectionals) and he looks ready to strike in the not too distant future – especially if the ground stays on the soft side.
July 15 – Newmarket – Shaquille – 100
A brilliant winner of the Commonwealth Cup, Julie Camacho’s colt proved that run was no fluke with another amazing display on the July Course. Although not as slowly away as he was at the Berkshire venue, he still gave away vital ground to many top-class older sprinters but as it turned out, the deficit he forfeited proved irrelevant as he powered clear in the closing stages. Clearly a three-year-old with a big engine, whether he can keep missing the break and still winning remains to be seen, but for now, he is easily the best sprinter of his generation and he deserves a crack at all the big six-furlong races at Group 1 level before the season is out.
July 15 – York – Nymphadora – 97
A taking display by a filly who enjoys easy underfoot conditions and this performance was by far and away her best in terms of pure quality. Despite racing keenly with little cover from an early stage, she still produced a turn of foot which proved decisive in the final analysis and on this evidence there could be more to come. She also paid a handsome complement to her previous conqueror, Makarova, who acquitted herself with glory against the boys at Sandown last weekend and both remain two to keep on side.