July 10 – Epsom – Kisskodi – 83
No great surprise to see Harry Eustace’s inmate complete a quick hat trick given the form he is in, but the speed figure he produced in doing so was a little more unexpected for the grade. The fact he managed to achieve this feat without being pushed to the limit bodes well for future examinations and he remains one to keep on side even off his revised mark of 79.
July 10 – Newmarket – Scandinavia – 84
Queen’s Vase runner-up Further ensured this Group 3 was run at a strong gallop and as the race evolved, the more it played into the strengths of the winner, who relished the task at hand. A shade unlucky in how things panned out for him at Royal Ascot – being forced to race wide for majority of the journey – the combination of a smoother trip and first-time cheekpieces enabled him to get into a lovely rhythm for the start and from the two furlong it was a question of how far he was going to win. In the end, eight lengths was the margin and given how strong he was at the line, one would imagine he is going to be an even more potent force over further. Looking at his max stride length at HQ (8.10) and the way he races, trips up to 1m6f and beyond should see him in an even better light and he looks destined to be one of the main players for the St Leger based on his progression and the potential of even more to come.
July 12- Ascot – Never So Brave – 87
A smooth winner of the Buckingham Palace over seven furlongs a month earlier, the big question pre-race was whether Andrew Balding’s inmate would stay the mile, but as it turned out, he actually improved for the step up trip. Point Lynas built up a big advantage from an early but he was gradually gathered in by the son on of No Nay Never, who ultimately ended up winning with a bit to spare. Posting a very fast speed figure, he now has plenty of options going forward and he certainly belongs on a much bigger stage based on the data.
July 12 – Newmarket – No Half Measures – 82
In-keeping with the sprinting division for the last few seasons, a turn up for the books and it was a result that had more to do with the extensive heavy watering the clerk of the course initiated due to the adverse weather conditions. In ensuring the runners didn’t have fast ground to race on, the contest was blown wide open and it was probably indicative of the situation that a horse with a preference for soft ground ended up walking away with the prize. Far play to Richard Hughes and connections for rolling the dice with a horse who had little chance on all known form but whether this kind of practice is good for the game in the long term is very much open to question. In the middle of summer, what’s wrong with fast ground?
July 12 – Newmarket – Claymore – 83
Back on fast ground after disappointing on soft at Chester previously, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s inmate managed to post his first win since he landed the 2022 Hampton Court at Royal Ascot, and in doing so, he posted a smart time for the grade. The big question is whether he can repeat the dose next time but if connections can find a similar race over the same C&D in the not too distant future then he might be capable of backing up.
July 12 – York – Fox Legacy – 84
As ever, a typically competitive version of this sought after prize and it went the way of a horse who had threatened to land a big pot for some time. First of his group of seven in the Royal Hunt Cup previously, Andrew Balding’s inmate improved significantly for the step up to 1m2f and in seeing off his two main market rivals in the shape of See The Storm and Activist, he now opens up plenty of options for the remainder of the season. As for the runner-up, he once again proved he is a smart performer in these kind of events and no doubt connections will be eying up something similar at the Ebor meeting in a month’s time.