July 9 – Doncaster – Hatteen – 82
No ordinary novice event this one, with the win and your in incentive offered to the winner to come back here in September and contest the St Leger over two furlongs further. The appearance of Irish raider, Count Bezukhov sprinkled a decent amount of spice over affairs and the fact Donnacha O’Brien’s colt was a well-beaten third, points towards the performance of the winner being a high class one. Picking up the running after the two furlong pole, the son of Lope De Vega strode clear in impressive fashion and his speed figure backed up the view he is a colt of some potential moving forward. Whether he ends up fulfilling his engagement in the final classic of the season only time will tell, but he remains one to keep on side whatever the outcome and it would come as no surprise if he were to have a crack at something else along the way.
July 9 – Doncaster – Return Of The Gods – 84
Not one but two excellent speed figures produced on the card and pride of place went to this seven-furlong handicap, won by a thoroughly progressive type. Ed Bethell’s inmate had shaped well in a useful contest the time before and was strongly fancied to build on that effort up in trip and so it proved, as he edged ahead in the closing stages after travelling well throughout. Only rated 75 heading in this competitive affair, he shouldn’t get clobbered by the assessor due to the narrow margin of his success and he should easily be capable of following up in a 0-80.
July 9 – Leopardstown – Thread Of Gold – 79
There were better speed figures during the week but this race is definitely worth adding to the list regardless and both the front two are notebook horses in every sense. The winner was having his first outing in handicap company and he duly took advantage of a drop in class, albeit he might not have scored had the runner-up obtained the charmed passage that was afforded to Willie Mullins’ gelding. Even so, this was step in the right direction for the son of Ghaiyyath and he remains of interest at this level. However, the big talking horse here was Diego El Queso, who has to go down as an extremely unlucky loser and is most definitely one to keep on side. Unlike the winner, he got blocked in at a crucial stage and had to force to switch out wide, from which point he flew home to finish a never-nearer second. Against many improving types, most notably Jamestown, this was a massive effort under a big weight and it would come as no surprise if he were good enough to land a pattern race before the season ends.
July 10 – Ascot – Amazing Journey – 81
A well-run affair and it was won in the style of a improving sprinter. Held up out the back at the Berkshire venue, Jamie Osbourne’s gelding still had plenty on his plate two furlongs out but he exhibited a useful turn of foot to cut his rivals down in the closing stages and in the end, he actually won going away. Clearly well suited by coming off a sound tempo over a stiff six-furlongs, plenty more races await this three-year-old when conditions are in his favour.
July 10 – Chester – Towelontheterrace – 77
A competitive looking juvenile contest on paper beforehand and it was won by a horse who showed bright speed from the gates. Despite being moderately drawn, Jennie Candlish’s inmate managed to over to lead after a furlong and from that juncture, he maintained a strongly gallop all the way to the line. Clearly a very sharp type, he one to not underestimate next time when presented with similar conditions. Of the vanquished, runner-up Regally Royal deserves a special mention for his effort on debut, coming from way off the pace to be never-nearer at the finish. Likely to be all the wiser next time, he should be a good thing for an ordinary maiden.
July 11 – Ascot – Zeus Olympios – 85
One of the best speed figures posted all week (Rebels Romance the pick with 86) and it came as no surprise this fella achieved the feat given his profile and class. Just outpointed in his two previous encounters at Group 1 level, this looked a decent opportunity slightly down in class and handily placed throughout, he took advantage of his main market rival, More Thunder, being presented with too much to do. Who knows, he may have well won in any case but either way, he shapes like he will get further and he is well worth a try over 1m2f in due course. As for More Thunder, he is becoming slightly frustrating to follow and for all his qualities, he somehow keeps finding ways of getting beat.
July 11 – Ascot – Galilean Quality – 84
A very useful speed figure posted by Karl Burke’s inmate and it was a victory not coming out of turn based his run over the same course previously. A big eye-catcher in the King George handicap, the son of Teofilo took advantage dropping in class and up in trip and he looks a stayer of some note moving forward. Goodwood awaits.
July 11 – York – Redorange – 86
As expected for a sprint as competitive over a sharp track, the time figure produced was extremely good and the winner bounced back to the sort of form he had showed earlier in the season. Not so effective at Carlisle previously when the ground and track counted against him, this quicker terrain played more into his strengths and he came through strongly at the business end to win decisively. Now proven over the C&D, one would imagine the natural progression would be come back to the Knavesmire for the Nunthorpe.
July 11 – Salisbury – Silver Lake – 82
Food For Thought set a good standard beforehand and also a decent pace, but she proved no match for the winner, who outstayed her from two out. Willie Haggas’ filly, whom the longer trip promised to suit, had a tongue-tie added on her handicap debut and she did very well to overcome her main rival having the run of things in front. The type to continue to progress, she remains one to keep on side.
July 11 – Newmarket – Al Hudaiba – 76
Charlie Appleby’s inmate suffered his only reversal when jinking right and dropping his rider at Yarmouth in May, attempted to pull his party trick again but there was nothing wrong with his attitude close home, hitting the line hard to just edge out the favourite for a first Pattern success. There’s plainly something going on between his ears, but he’s got plenty of talent to match and a trip to the Curragh for the Group 1 National Stakes could be on the cards. What he’ll make of those wide expanses only time will tell, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how his career develops.
July 11 – York – Raammee – 82
Fair play to the winner for stepping up on his previous efforts to capture this valuable prize, but this race was more about the story of Danger Bay and how far he would have won with anything like a clear run. Noted travelling supremely well turning for home, David O’Meara’s gelding got blocked in over on the far side rail when, unlike in most previous seasons, the runners decided to stay away from the centre of the course, and that scenario meant he never saw any daylight until it was too late. Once out in the clear, the son of New Bay flew home to finish a never-nearer fourth and it was very much a case of one that got away. Where he goes next remains to be seen but rest assured, Danger Bay is easily up to racing in pattern company in the near future and it will pay to follow his career path with interest.