June 29 – Kempton – The Green Mile – 84
Based on the speed figure we awarded this middle-distance handicap, probably not a bad race for the grade and the winner paid a handsome complement to Noble Horizon, who beat him to the tune of eight lengths at Leicester previously. On his all-weather debut, Neil Mulholland’s gelding relished the surface and he has the scope to continue to improve.
June 29 – Windsor – King Of Light – 85
The went a proper clip in this sprint handicap and the winner posted a career high, quickening well in the closing stages to pull well clear. A creditable fifth in the ‘Dash’ at Epsom previously, Stuart Williams’ inmate found these quicker conditions more to his liking and it would come as no surprise if he worked his way into pattern company at some stage.
June 30 – Musselburgh – Bear Lee – 75
Michael & David Easterby’s filly was slowly away in this five-furlong dash for two-year-olds but she came swooping through late on to score in convincing fashion, in turn, posting a very smart speed figure. This was a modest contest on paper but it may be churlish to underestimate the winner going forward and she is the type to keep on improving, particularly over further.
July 2 – Nottingham – Ash Tree – 78
Jane Chapple-Hyam’s filly cost 240,000euros as a yearling and is sister to a 7f all-weather 2yo winner plus a half-sister to five winners from 7f-1m3f, including two Listed scorers, so she came with big expectations. Well found in the market, she showed both ability and inexperience in equal measures on this debut run and looks an exciting prospect. Her effort was even more commendable on account of her slow start and the turn of foot she found to work her way top the front was impressive. Moving forward she should stay at least 7f and is the type to win more races, most likely at pattern level. .
July 3 – Sandown – Sallaal – 84
This listed event was all about whether Roger Varian’s inmate could make the translation from top-quality handicaps to pattern level and he proved equal to the task in impressive fashion. Despite racing keenly early on, he found the necessary requirements to ease to the front over two out and from that juncture he took total command. Gelding him over the winter has proved key, and the Group 2 York Stakes or the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster could be tempting short-term options for one who is on a strong upward trajectory.
July 3 – Sandown – Cristo – 84
A fairly modest-looking Class 4 contest produced a surprisingly useful set of figures and it is form worth treating with respective accordingly. The winner had run quite well in a race working out nicely at York previously, so he wasn’t winning out of turn, and he can continue to be a threat in similar handicaps.
July 4 – Newmarket – Tattycoram – 84
The main focus of attention was on Tiffany in this Group 2 affair but she succumbed to a filly significantly on the rise and there didn’t appear to be any fluke about the outcome. Despite her relatively low rating of 98 heading into the contest, the form of her previous Goodwood win suggested she had been underestimated and so it proved, as she bounded clear with some aplomb to land the prize in fine style. Whether she can take her game to Group 1 level only time will tell, but she stays well, has a good attitude and those traits are half the battle in this division.
July 4 – Newmarket – Sportingsilvermine – 84
Klassleader was all the rage following his impressive York win but he simple never showed up and it was left for James Owen’s gelding to pick up the pieces from the foot of the handicap. Although he had shown decent form in well-run races before, this was still a significant upturn on his overall profile and maybe it was the galloping nature of the track that suited his eye. Once again, the key to the level of this form can be worked around runner-up, Paddy The Squire, and Iain Jardine’s every-dependable gelding deserves to take one of these before the season ends.
July 4 – Sandown – Constitution River – 84
A star-studded line-up and Aidan O’Brien’s inmate following on from his game victory in the French Derby with victory against the older horses. A ferocious gallop was set from the start and he, along with A Boy Named Susie were the only two to stand up to the test, pulling well clear of the remainder. A gorgeous individual, the son of Wootton Bassett was quite rightly showered with praise in the aftermath and he will prove very d difficult to beat if connections keep him at 1m2f. As for the runner-up, he couldn’t quite get to grips with the winner, but this was another solid effort by Donnacha O’Brien’s colt and he thoroughly deserves a Group 1 success in the near future.