August 12 – Windsor – Staincliff – 75
Just a routine victory for Jack Channon’s filly to the naked eye but the overall time and backend splits suggested she was operating at a fair level. Despite having her first outing of the season, she was sharp enough to clock 31.7 for the last three furlongs and when you compare that effort to the one posted by Elmonjed (34.4) in the sprint handicap an hour later, it puts into context the pace she produced during the same time frame. Clearly well above average on the evidence of this display, expect the three-year-old filly to take higher rank, namely pattern company, next time.
August 15 – Windsor – Nazron – 82
In keeping with most racing league races, a competitively run affair and this sprint handicap proved to be easily the best on the card. Settled in mid division at the halfway stage, Roger Varian’s inmate was noted travelling best two out and with a sweeping run from that juncture, he cleared right away from his rivals to win with a bit to spare. Yet to finish out of the frame in nine starts, this progressive sprinter looks capable of even better and he might be good enough to step into pattern company further down the line.
August 16 – Newmarket – Anniversary – 77
A very strongly run juvenile maiden won in the style of a filly with a bright future. Always travelling well behind the sound fractions, Ralph Beckett’s inmate eased to the front just over a furlong out and despite running green late on, she more than enough up her sleeve to repel several closers. On the evidence of the clock, this race ranks among the best of its kind all season and it deserves to be noted accordingly. Of the others, runner-up Scandinavia did more than enough to suggest she can find a similar contest in due course and long term, she rates a potentially useful middle distance type.
August 17 – Doncaster – Brave Nation – 81
As we prefer to flag up races not necessarily on everyone’s radar, we recommend this handicap is worth following over the coming weeks. A wave of four ensured the gallop was strong from the outset and when the pace unsurprisingly collapsed, it was Michael bell’s inmate who found the necessary requirements to claim the prize. Clearly a big lover of the track, his course stats now read 1211 and he looks an obvious candidate for something like the Portland at the Leger meeting. Runner-up Born To Rock was the big eye-catcher in the race and she rates an interesting new recruit for George Scott.
August 17 – Newmarket – Sixandahalf – 86
Having tipped Cabrera in my column for this staying fillies handicap, if you would have said to me beforehand she would run to a speed figure of 85 and get beat I would have laughed you out of town but that’s precisely what happened to Ed Bethell’s filly in this above average contest for the grade. Having travelled strongly down to the two pole, she looked the most likely winner but no sooner had she eased to the front, along came Gavin Cromwell’s raider to steal the prize. Miles clear of the rest, we are clearly dealing with two very well handicapped fillies and they could easily be good enough to tackle pattern company at some stage.
August 17 – Ripon – Dare To Hope – 81
Given the nature of the race, an unsurprisingly good speed figure ensued and the winner gained due reward for several near misses this season. A few lengths down with a furlong to run, he found a smart turn of foot to overall the consistent guide to the form, Ramazan, and with the pair nicely clear, his effort deserves marking up. A strong stayer at the trip, presumably the Ayr Gold Cup beckons for Richard Fahey’s gelding.