September 17 – Doncaster – Matilda Picotte – 101
Having huffed and puffed, threatening to win a decent prize this season, Kieran Cotter’s filly finally came up trumps, and in doing so she posted a career best time. Jumping out to make all the running in typically keen fashion, she soon had her rivals on the stretch and unlike many other occasions this season, she maintained the relentless gallop throughout. Just as she did last term, she seems to be coming good in the autumn and something like the Prix Foret on Arc weekend would be the natural race for her next.
September 18 – Thirsk – Mezzo Soprano – 95
An ordinary-looking maiden fillies’ event on paper beforehand and what appeared a golden opportunity for the Simon & Ed Crisford trained inmate who came into the contest with by far and away the best form. However, the post race data suggested she had run a pretty smart set of numbers for the grade and it might well be she’s in line for something more meaningful next time out. A special mention has to go out to the runner-up, Midream, as she was the only one to offer any sort of threat to the winner in the closing stages. This was a perfectly satisfactory effort by Ed Walker’s filly on debut and she also looks to have a bright future.
September 20 – Beverley – Rogue Enforcer – 97
It’s always difficult to gauge with total accuracy each performance on an afternoon when the rain continued to slow the ground down, but either way, the time figure for this juvenile contest stood out as a seriously good one granted the conditions. The winner, who had the benefit of previous experience, took advantage of that fact with an all-the-way success and he looks to be one who should continue to thrive throughout the autumn months when encountering similar conditions.
September 21 – Chelmsford – He’s A Monster – 101
A really competitive all-weather handicap totally dominated by a horse returning to a surface on which he was unbeaten in three previous outings. Setting his stall out with a degree of intent, Archie Watson’s inmate soon got into a lovely rhythm at the head of affairs and although pestered by several inside the final two furlongs, he had enough left in the locker to maintain his advantage. Now 4-4 on a synthetic surface, it would seem unwise to run on the Turf and stick to what he does best.
September 21 – Listowel – Simply Sideways – 98
Quite an extraordinary performance at a fairly low level and one that suggests Timothy Doyle’s mare remains miles ahead of the assessor. Always cruising in the hands of Sean Bowen, she picked up the running full of running turning for home and with the minimum of fuss, she pulled readily clear of her toiling rivals. Clearly in the form of her life on this evidence. the daughter of Sir Prancealot is well worth keeping on side when attempting her hat trick bid.
September 22 – Ayr – Pink Crystal – 100
A hugely competitive fillies’ listed prize that went the way of a horse who had threatened to win at this level for quite some time. Runner-up in the same race a year prior, William Haggas’ inmate had put together an impressive series of results without gaining her due rewards but, having been held up off the strong early pace, she was delivered with a perfectly timed knockout blow late on. Seemingly just as effective on this slower ground, she now has plenty of options going forward.
September 23 – Newbury – Balance Play – 101
Millebosc ensured this middle-distance handicap was run at a true gallop and it played right into the hands of a three-year-old who bounced back to form granted an easy surface. Disappointing on fast ground at York previously, Ralph Beckett’s inmate was well supported to return to winning ways and he duly delivered the goods, staying on strongly in the latter stages to get the better of fellow three-year-old, Totnes. Based on his profile, the most obvious target would be the November Handicap, a race which is usually run on a soft terrain.