April 28 – Lingfield – Educator – 81
Henrietta Knight is better known for her exploits with National Hunt horses but her son of Deep Impact proved the Lambourn handler is just as adept at producing one for the Flat. Having his first run since undergoing wind surgery, the six-year-old improved significantly on her previous encounters and the time figure he produced suggested he might be capable of following up in due course. He could also easily slip back over hurdles at some stage and having had just the three runs, he could turn out to be very well handicapped in that discipline off 102.
April 29 – Nottingham – Ambiente Amigo – 82
Not a breakneck gallop early by any standards but the pace gradually unwound a long way from home and that helped force a healthy speed figure. The winner, who was back from a spell over hurdles, found a useful turn of foot over on the far side rail and ultimately was full value for her success. Entered in the Middleton Stakes at York in two weeks’ time, she may well take up that engagement along with the runner-up, Karmology, who has a fine record on the Knavesmire.
April 30 – Ascot – Sardinian Warrior – 86
Without debate, the race of the week in terms of class and speed figures and the form should have some sort of bearing come the Queen Anne in a month’s time. Both the winner and the runner-up, Docklands, served up a proper tussle once engaging motors two out and with the pair pulling well clear, the form looks solid. Up until Ascot, Sardinian Warrior was an unknown quantity on the grass but this effort proved he is just as effective away from the all-weather and he looks the type to keep improving. As for the runner-up, his love affair with the Berkshire venue continued, and even though he got beaten fair and square on the day, it would come as little surprise if he was to gain his revenge in the curtain raiser to the Royal meeting.
April 30 – Ascot – My Cloud – 82
Roger Varian’s colt was well supported beforehand and he duly landed the gamble in some style, clocking a time figure not too far off the one posted by Sardinian Knight over the same C&D. Based on that evidence, the lightly-raced colt might have done well to get away with just a subsequent 10lb in the ratings and he must be on the early shortlist for the Royal Hunt Cup in a month’s time.
May 3 – Thirsk – Flight Plan – 83
A typically competitive version of the Thirsk Hunt Cup and it went the way of a horse who never saw another rival. Setting solid fractions from the outset, Karl Burke’s entire maintained a healthy gallop throughout and on this display, he looks back to something like his best.
May 3 – Punchestown – Lulamba – 75
It would be remiss of us not to highlight some of the best performances from last week’s Punchestown festival and although there are honourable mentions to the likes of Galopin Des Champs (76) and Marine Nationale (80), it was Nicky Henderson’s juvenile who we would like to note going forward. Although beaten in the Triumph, the market spoke in his favour in his bid to turn around the form with Poniros and in a race run at true gallop, he duly justified his short odds. Joining East India Dock on 75 at the top of our four-year-old hurdling tree, the son of Nirvana Du Berlais has the world at his feet and similar to Sir Gino last season, it would come as no surprise if he were to ply his trade over fences next term.