September 22 – Beverley – Bayraktar – 76
Arthurian set the standard in this two-year-old affair with a rating of 96, but he got very sweaty beforehand and after setting an overly strong gallop, wasn’t able to run to his best form. That said, the winner shouldn’t be downgraded for his performance and of the pair, he has the more scope for improvement. Not a bad sort on looks, this Futurity entry could make up into a decent middle-distance performer in 2027.
September 22 – Beverley – Toca Madera – 84
David O’Meara’s inmate was well placed throughout and he took advantage of several of his main market rivals running below par. The faster the ground the better for this guy and he should continue to be effective under similar conditions in future.
September 22 – Southwell – Solarize – 84
A keenly-contested handicap and the pace was such it produced a big speed figure for the grade and track. Charlie Johnston’s gelding hadn’t run since February but his absence didn’t prevent him from running to a high level and that is now three wins from seven starts on the all-weather.
September 23 – Goodwood – Plaid – 85
As events panned out, it was a case of ‘well played’, Plaid, as she took apart her main market rival, Runman, in the final half a mile. From an early stage she seemed to be travelling sweeter than the Gosden runner and that view became more apparent as the race developed further. A progressive filly with plenty of size and scope, she had been unlucky on several starts this season but as seen at the Sussex venue, she is a fair tool when conditions are in her favour.
September 23 – Goodwood – Respond – 85
Back down in trip and returning to a sound surface, Andrew Balding’s inmate was given a positive ride with the hood removed and he galloped clear to gain his first success at Listed level. The key to him is getting him to settle and there could be more to come if he continues to listen to his pilots.
September 24 – Newmarket – Gregory – 83
Burdett Road took the field along at a good pace for this listed prize and everything set up perfectly for John & Thady Gosden’s inmate to show his class. Breezing by the pacesetter at the two pole, he soon strode into an unassailable lead and he ended up scoring with any amount in hand. On this evidence, he looks every bit as good as he used to be, and would fully deserve to take up his engagement in next month’s British Champions Long Distance Cup after this, for which his odds chopped across the board to a general 6-1.
September 25 – Dundalk – Military Order – 87
A rare runner for Charlie Appleby at the Louth venue but the trip over the Irish Sea was fully justified as the son of produced one of the performances of the week based on the clock. Noted going easily turning for home, he soon assumed command at the two furlong pole and from that juncture, he lengthened his stride to pull well clear of the useful Geryon. Now 4 from 5 on the all-weather, it would seem pertinent to keep him on such a surface in future, although it is worth pointing out, he did run well on turf in Bahrain when last seen and he could end up out in the Middle East this winter.
September 25 – Haydock – Sizzling Affair – 80
Extremely well backed beforehand, Karl Burke’s filly produced one of the performances of the week from a two-year-old and she looks an exciting prospect going forward. The daughter of Night Of Thunder had little trouble following the strong pace set by Liberal Lady and when she fell away, the market leader impressed with the way she eased her way clear without too much fuss. Based on this sparkling effort, a step straight up to Listed/Group 3 level next month seems a likely option.
September 25 – Newmarket – Coedana – 84
We already flagged up the skills of Ed Bethell’s filly earlier in the season but she took her game to another level with this classy display. Despite being drawn wide in stall 12, she managed to get a reasonable early position and heading down into the bushes, she still appeared full of running. Although it did take her longer than anticipated to get on top, her long stride ended up being the determining factor up the hill and she scored with a bit up her sleeve. Improving with each run, she remains one to keep on side if kept in training next season.
September 25 – Newmarket – Talk Of New York – 86
Charlie Appleby’s inmate looked to be taking on inferior rivals beforehand and that theory played out in the race itself. Always travelling well, the Wootton Bassett colt strode majestically clear once meeting the rising ground and he posted the sort of speed figure that suggests he belongs back in Group 1 company.
September 26 – Curragh – Noble Exhibit – 78
Aidan O’Brien’s inmate was all the rage beforehand despite having only won a Punchestown maiden previously but he thoroughly justified his star status with a performance of some class. Controlling the fractions up front, he injected further pace into the race at the three furlong pole and he maintained the gallop all the way to the line, winning with his ears pricked. An end-of-season Group 1 looks in order next and he shortened to 100-30 for next month’s Futurity at Doncaster. Having begun the day as a best-priced 40-1 for the 2027 Derby, he was introduced at 25-1 by sponsors Betfred after the race and there could turn out to be worse bets than him for the Epsom classic. Smart two-year-old.
September 26 – Newmarket – Sun Goddess – 84
In what was billed as one of the races of the season, the Group 1 Cheveley certainly lived up to its hype and it produced a speed figure that we believe to be the best we have awarded a two-year-old in recent memory. The race looked like being well run beforehand with Ballydoyle sticking in a rare pacemaker for a two-year-old event and despite being momentarily outpaced going down into the dip, her stamina and class eventually gained the day on the climb to the line. Possibly unlucky not to be unbeaten across eight starts, there’s no sign she’s finished for the season just yet and there can be little doubt she’ll get a mile either this year or next. Of those beaten, Alwaysanangel came out of the race with her reputation enhanced and she also looks the type who will benefit from a step up in trip next term.
September 26 – Newmarket – Orthodox – 78
Ordinarily, a speed figure 78 by a two-year-old would trump anything else on the card but such was the performance of Sun Goddess half an hour earlier, Clive Cox’s inmate got rather put into the shade. That said, this was still a fair effort in isolation and the son of Havana Grey is one of the best two-year-old sprinters seen so far this season. He won’t be getting a mile next term, but a sprinting campaign maps itself out and the Commonwealth Cup, at a track he’s already excelled over, looks a legitimate target. Before that, a trip to the Breeders’ Cup this year is a possibility.