July 10 – Kempton – Mutaawid – 79
Quite a deep novice contest for three-year-olds won in a taking style by one of the more exposed members of the field. Having already raced three times, one wouldn’t have necessarily expected a huge amount of improvement but in the first time blinkers, the son of Frankel turned out to be a totally different proposition, quickening well inside the final two furlongs to pull well clear of his rivals. Not only was the overall speed figure of the race the best on the card, he covered the final three furlongs in the quickest time (34.5 compared to the next best 34.9) and if he can translate the same level of form back to the turf, he could be a potent force in handicaps.
July 11 – Newmarket – Giavellotto – 81
Not the strongest or most competitive Group 2 ever staged but nonetheless, Marco Botti’s gelding produced a performance of the highest quality in defeating several who had much stronger claims over the 1m4f trip. Despite having shown his best form over further, the five-year-old travelled extremely well throughout and having arrived at the two furlong pole pulling double, he then found the necessary change of gear to pull well clear late on. Likely to head back up in trip for the remainder of the season, the Irish St Leger was muted as his number one objective and on this evidence. he looks the one to beat at the Curragh come September.
July 11 – Leopardstown – Jancis – 73
Not the fastest speed figure of the week by any means but certainly one of the most visually striking and we recommend Willie McCreery’s filly is kept on side for the foreseeable future. Held up towards the rear, the daughter of Tamayuz worked her way into contention turning for home and showing a smart turn of foot down the outside of the track, she readily pulled clear in the latter stages to score with plenty in hand. Considering this was only her second outing of her career, it’s safe to assume there should be plenty more still to come from this light-framed filly and the Matron Stakes looks the next obvious port of call.
July 12 – Chester – Brighton Boy – 77
Andrew Balding’s gelding was a warm order to capture following two promising efforts and he duly landed the odds with some aplomb. Shaken up to lead over two furlongs out, the son of Gregorian soon assumed command and based on the speed figure he posted, it was a performance that deserves marking up. Whether he can reproduce this sort of figure in a higher grade only time will tell, but he could well be one to keep on side for one of the nurseries run at Glorious Goodwood.
July 13 – Navan – Naval Force – 79
The Equator was all the rage following his excellent effort in the Queen Vase at Royal Ascot and presuming he ran his race, the winner took a massive step forward to lower his colours from finishing down the field in the King George Handicap at the same meeting. Making all the running at the Meath venue, Donnacha O’Brien’s inmate found plenty for pressure once joined for the lead two out and he might just end up in stakes company by the end of the season if he continues to progress in the right fashion.
July 13 – York – Starlust – 83
Disappointing in the first time blinkers at Royal Ascot previously, Ralph Beckett’s inmate returned to the scene of his previous C&D success without the headgear and he bounced back to form with a vengeance. Momentarily outpaced at halfway, he picked up strongly where it mattered most and by the time he had hit the line, he was in full command. Now 2-2 on the Knavesmire, it makes sense for him to come back for a crack at the Nunthorpe in a month’s time and he is a must for any shortlist at this stage.