April 6 – Kempton – Gethin – 83
It is about this time of year when the attentions switch to matters on the Flat and the first entrant for this season comes courtesy of Owen Burrow’s grey. The four-year-old created a favourable impression on his seasonal bow at Newbury last term but unfortunately his campaign was curtailed due to injury and we didn’t see him again until the autumn, when he was runner-up twice. Despite arriving at the Sunbury venue off a break, the son of Ghaiyyath was noticeable strong in the market and other than racing a little exuberantly in the early stages, he didn’t give his many supporters to many anxious moments. Striding out purposely to the line, he posted a smart speed in winning with plenty on hand and providing he gets a clear run with soundness, he can make up for lost time throughout this campaign. Of the rest, Muddy Mooy shaped with a huge amount of promise in running on strongly to claim a never-nearer third and this effort has to go down as a really bright start for his new stable. Whereas the winner is likely to be campaign over further, Charlie Pike’s gelding should be sticking around 1m2f and it would come as no surprise if he turns out to be progressive enough to make one of the races at Royal Ascot.
April 7 – Pontefract – Haayimm – 76
All eyes and the market were very much focused on Arabian Desert, who was sent off at 1-8 to land this maiden with a rating of 100, but he ended up bumping in an above-average type who had clearly learnt plenty from his only start at two. Gelded since finishing a promising third on debut last September, Ed Bethell’s charge loomed up alongside the favourite going well turning for home and from that point, he exhibited the better turn of foot in pulling clear to the tune of a length and a half. Posting a very respectable time figure to suggest the gallop was decent for a small field, his final three furlongs of 38.6 was just as impressive, matching the 5f sprinters later in the card. Clearly a horse with a good cruising speed and change of gear in equal measures, we should be hearing a good deal more of the son of Gleneagles during the remainder of the season.
April 8 – Gowran – Bobby Mcgee – 75
Probably not a bad maiden and the front two pulled clear to back up that view. The winner carried the best form from last season to the party and a subsequent gelding operation and step up in trip seemed to make a difference to his overall output. The way he travelled before quickening nicely to put the race to bed was pleasing on the eye and he can develop into a useful handicapper between 7f and a mile. As for the runner-up, Jamestown, this was the second time he has caught the eye with the way he has shaped during a race and he rates one to keep on side for an ordinary maiden in due course.
April 9 – Wolverhampton – Gold Star Hero – 84
One of the better speed figures of the week was achieved by Michael Bell’s gelding who, in the process, advanced his Polytrack record to 121. 4lb higher than when making a successful return from five months off at Chelmsford a fortnight ago, the switch to Tapeta proved no problem, bossing the field from an early stage to win with a bit up his sleeve. Whether he can translate his current form post gelding op to the turf remains to be seen but he seems to be in fine fettle at the moment and you could just see him flying around the tight bends at Chester next month. As for the runner-up, Artagnan, he was given too much to do having been switched off at the back of the field early and he may well do better next time with this initial run out of his system.
April 10 – Thirsk – Myal – 84
Steph Hollinshead’s inmate has always been a likable and reliable type but he took his game to another level based on the data to hand for this conditions event. The five-year-old did have the advantage of a previous outing, which may have counted for plenty, but either way, he managed to beat the likes of Poet Master, Scoville and Mount Athos fair and square and his effort in doing so was a clear career high. Having fourth in last season’s Buckingham Palace handicap at Royal Ascot, one would imagine connections have the same race mapped out for their gelding this time around.
April 11 – Southwell – Al Azd – 80
A well run affair and Roger Varian’s gelding proved equal to the task on his second start in the blinkers. Runner-up on his three previous outings, he was beginning to cut a frustrating figure but he made no mistake at the Midland venue, tracking the leaders throughout before pouncing with a useful turn of foot. Clearly a horse on the up on the evidence of this effort, the son of Dubawi can continue to rise through the ranks when sent into handicaps in the near future.