July 28 – Pontefract – Pont Lynas – 81
A thoroughly dominate display by Ed Bethel’s improving gelding and it was a performance that strongly indicated he might be ready to throw his cap in the ring at pattern level. Bitterly disappointing the time before on soft ground, he returned to a faster surface at the Yorkshire venue and having set off as his usual rapid rate, he simply ran his rivals into submission. Although entered in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, he might have better prospects in the Strensall at York where he has a record of 2221 in recent times.
July 30 – Goodwood – Tattersall – 81
On a card where we awarded an 86 for Kyprios and an 80 for Audience, the standout time at a lower level came from this sprint handicap, won in gutsy fashion by a horse who has displayed brazen pace in the past. An all or nothing kind of character, Michael Dods’ inmate was able to get on the front end early and despite being challenged for the thick end of two furlongs, he found plenty of pressure to record win number four in his 16-race career. Clearly extremely well suited by sharp tracks, he can continue to pay his way in similar environments.
July 30 – Lingfield – All Algeam – 80
Quite a strong race for the grade and both the in-form pair coming into the contest, Etoile D’Alexandre and Scarlett Lady were well and truly put in their place by the winner, who just kept pounding out the fractions from the front. Really enjoying the fast ground, there didn’t appear to be any fluke about the result and the time figure backs up the view she could be a well handicapped horse going forward.
August 1 – Galway – Nurburgring – 76
As ever, a viciously competitive Galway Hurdle but it was run in style of a horse who was simply different class to the rest. A top class juvenile from last season, similar in many respects to the previous year’s winner Zarak The Brave, Joseph O’Brien’s inmate adopted a good position from an early stage and once set alight on the climb into the home straight, he stayed on far too powerfully for his rivals. On this evidence, graded races will now surely be back on the agenda and something like the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse would make a lot of sense considering he has already tasted success there before.
August 1 – Goodwood – Shagraan – 80
Michael Appleby enjoyed a stellar week at the Sussex venue and the son of Sioux Nation was one of four winners for the Rutland handler. Having knocked at the door at many competitive sprint handicaps this season, the chestnut deserves a change of fortune and after proving one the best backed horses in the field beforehand, he duly got the job done in convincing fashion. Clearly well suited by a flat out five furlongs, he could be good enough to have a crack at pattern company at some stage but for now, similar races against his own age group should see him competitive in the short term.
August 3 – Goodwood – Witness Stand – 81
Not one of the most classiest races on paper during the five-day fixture beforehand but a time figure to suggest the form could be worth tracking during the coming weeks. Cuban Tiger ensured the gallop was honest from the start and having travelled well just behind him throughout, Tom Clover’s inmate quickened up the best to readily pull clear inside the final furlong. Benefitting from the first-time cheekpieces and return to faster ground, the son of Expert Eye will command more respect in the market than he was afforded on this occasion next time out.