September 24 – Listowel – Curvature – 80
Fourth in the corresponding race last year, connections were keen to have another crack and this time everything fell just right for Jessica Harrington’s filly. Always well placed just behind the pace set by Mundi, she quickened well to lead over a furlong out and from that juncture she drew readily clear. Suited by the first-time cheekpieces and overnight rain, similar conditions can see her add to her tally in future.
September 24 – Newcastle – Alpha Whitebird – 86
East Bank took the field along at rapid early fractions and when he inevitably gave way a furlong out, Craig Lidster’s inmate was the one best placed to take advantage. Knocking at the door without previously winning, this was a massive step forward to what he had achieved before and it remains to be seen whether he can build on this effort in future. Clearly a strongly run race over a stiff six furlong suits.
September 27 – Haydock – King Of Light – 77
Just the five runners for this nursery but the pace was strong from the outset and it produced a rousing finish between three in-form juveniles. The winner, who was taking a drop down in class having taken on listed company on his last two starts, obtained first run on his two market rivals but he showed good battling qualities when looking vulnerable inside the final furlong. He can continue to progress and is worth another crack at pattern level. The runner-up, Francisco’s Pride, seems suited by soft ground and is worth keeping on side while conditions remain in his favour, while Nad Alshiba Green was arguably unlucky not to add to her previous victory at Sandown as she got boxed in and short of room at a crucial stage. She also remains in good form.
September 27 – Newmarket – Seaplane – 77
A dominant display by Paul & Oliver Cole’s charge right from the start and the fact his opponents were strung out like washing at the death backed up the view he had maintained strong fractions throughout the seven furlong affair. Runner-up on his two previous starts, the son of Golden Horn had clearly benefitted greatly from those initial experiences and he looks the type to develop into a nice middle distance horse for next season.
September 28 – Curragh – Hotazhell – 77
A keenly contested pattern contest for the juveniles and it was run at a brisk tempo from the start. Despite racing keenly early on, the winner stayed on strongly to deny the determined runner up and this performance should set Jessica Harrington’s inmate up nicely for a tilt at the Futurity at Doncaster. Of the rest, third placed Windlord left the impression he was a little unlucky how the race developed ahead of him and he remains one to keep on side for next season.
September 29 – Curragh – The Euphrates – 81
Heavily backed in the build up to this valuable stayers prize, Aidan O’Brien’s charge was always best placed to take advantage of his superior class and once setting sail for home off the final bend, he never looked like relinquishing the lead. Keeping on well close home, the son of Frankel probably scored with more in hand than the bare result suggests and this was an excellent effort considering he was housed in stall 27 of the 30-strong field. The runner-up, A Piece Of Heaven, deserves a special mention for the way he kept on well in the latter stages despite being unsuited by the deteriorating ground, while the third, Sixandahalf, maintained the believe she remains a filly on the up.