September 23 – Southwell – Tryfan – 82
Harry Charlton’s gelding ran out an impressive winner of this competitive 1m6f handicap and he looks the type who could have significantly more to come. Although he has managed to win on turf, his all-weather form figures now read 31221 and connections might be better served by sticking to his strengths for the foreseeable future.
September 24 – Kempton – Crystal Mariner – 79
A well run 1m3f all-weather handicap and Jamie Osbourne’s gelding backed up his previous promising run at Doncaster with another fine display. Settling well off honest fractions, the five-year-old loomed up going well at the cutaway and once hitting the front, he stayed on powerfully for a convincing success. The overall time and final circuit split suggested this was a decent performance by the son of Sea The Stars and he can continue to thrive in this environment in due course.
September 25 – Newmarket – Desert Storm – 76
Impressive on his debut over on the July course, Charlie Appleby’s colt got well and truly Yorked in the Acomb last time out, but he bounced back in no uncertain terms and he looks one of the leading lights in his division. To be fair, it wasn’t the funky surface on the Knavesmire that led to his demise, it was his propensity to race too exuberantly in the early stages that cost him any chance but here he was much more amenable to restraint. Sitting right off the early gallop set by Commander’s Intent and Catallus, the son of Night Of Thunder came through strongly with a well-timed challenge at the two furlong marker and from that point he strode right away from his toiling rivals, in the end, scoring in emphatic fashion. Clearly a colt who requires a strong pace in order to utilise his skills, The Dewhurst will provide us with another chance to assess his Guineas credentials.
September 26 – Worcester – Don Virginia – 72
A competitive renewal of the final of the summer brush hurdle series and it was a contest run at a brutal pace. The five-year-old ensured he took no prisoners right from the start and he soon had most of his rivals at full stretch, including the well-backed favourite, Dream Diamond. Once seeing him off, he had to crank it up another gear to contend with those ridden off the early pace and the fact he managed to achieve this feat was the most impressive part of his performance. Powering his way to the line, he finished his race off full of running and the time figure he posted pointed towards an effort usually spared for something at one of the big festivals. Where he will go from here remains to be seen, but he has the scope to make a chaser and hailing from a yard who often do well with this type, the son of Walzertakt could have a very bright future.
September 26 – Dundalk – Phantom Flight – 86
The only raider in the 13-strong field, George Scott’s inmate totally justified the decision to end him over the Irish Sea and this performance should set him up nicely for prizes further afield. Despite being off the track for 101 days, the six-year-old showed no rustiness throughout a strongly run affair and when asked to go and win his race two out, he stayed on in willing fashion. In recording his third win at listed level, he posted a career high speed figure and there should be plenty of opportunities for his to thrive over in the desert this winter.
September 27 – Curragh – Hawk Mountain – 76
Aidan O’Brien’s colt has come a long way in a short space of time and this performance marks him down as one the stable’s brighter prospects for next season. Setting decent fractions from the outset, the son of Wootton Bassett was pestered for the early lead but that did not stop him finding an extra gear when necessary and the way he hit the line suggested there could be plenty more to come. Group 1’s at either Doncaster of Saint Cloud were muted as possibilities for him as his final race of the season and he should develop into a smart middle-distance three-year-old, with all the big races for his age group in the conversation.
September 27 – Newmarket – Bow Echo – 75
Unbeaten heading into this Group 2, George Boughey’s colt rubber-stamped his name as a possible Guineas hope for next season with his best performance so far to date. Settling nicely just in behind the early pace, he made smooth headway to join the leaders at the two furlong pole and despite idling a shade late on, he had enough in the locker to maintain his advantage. A likeable type with a decent amount of ability to match, the son of Night Of Thunder also looks an uncomplicated ride and that trait bode well for life as a three-year-old.