July 15 – Yarmouth – Tryst – 83
A keenly-contested handicap with several of the performers arriving in top form and with market leader Dion Baker ensuring the gallop was a strong one throughout, the overall speed figure ended up being very goof for the grade. George Boughey’s filly had been a bit disappointing this season but dropping back in trip and being fitted with the cheekpieces made all the difference and she could be worth following now connections have finally stumbled onto the winning formula.
July 16 – Leopardstown – Star Of State – 77
A big eye-catcher when running a very promising race on debut at the Curragh, Joseph O’Brien’s filly was all the rage to go one place better on her second start and for those who played at short odds, they never had too many anxious moments. Soon in command, the daughter of State Of Rest gradually wound up the pace rounding the home turn and into the straight and she readily pulled clear to the tune of ten lengths in the closing stages. Posting a big speed figure for a juvenile, her backend sectionals complemented her impressive work and she looks a ready-made pattern performer in the making.
July 17 – Hamilton – Strike Red – 84
The first of two big performances based on the clock the Scottish venue and Richard & Peter Fahey’s gelding returned to form with a bang. Staying on strongly off solid fractions to ease his way to the front late one, he backed up his previous encouraging run at Newcastle by going one place better and in doing so, he took down several rivals who also arrived there in excellent shape.
July 17 – Hamilton – Superior Choice – 84
Not a bad field for this listed prize and it went the way of a colt going in the right direction. A couple of low-key contests had headed the way of John & Thady Gosden’s inmate prior to this step up in class but he little trouble bridging the gap with a performance of some quality. Swooping late down the outside of the track, the son of Dubawi ended up winning going away late on and there could well be more to come despite his tasks no doubt becoming tougher as time progresses.
July 17 – Newbury – Arapaho Gold – 75
Michael Dods’ inmate probably had the most to prove having his first start in pattern company but he proved equal to the task with a performance of some substance. Badly bumped early, he could have easily been knocked out of his stride completely but instead he rallied well to the cause and found plenty for pressure at the business end. Posting a useful speed figure, he showed gameness and quality in equal measures and he has the size and scope to continue to improve.
July 18 – Curragh – Cover Up – 85
A well contested field, mainly of home-based sprinters, but it went the way of one of the UK raiders, who made amends for an unlucky run in the King Charles at Royal Ascot previously. Although he failed to feature in the finish in the Group 1 a month ago, he may well have done if he had not suffered interference in the latter stages and he ended up being full value for his length success. Clearly, a well-run five furlongs suits best and he may well be the type who features in the Abbeye at Longchamp later in the season.
July 18 – Curragh – Johnna Walsh – 85′
It has been a stellar season for Joseph O’Brien so far and the Kildare handler added another notable success by landing his second Oaks of the campaign. Beaten on merit by Earth Shot Royal Ascot, the daughter of Sea The Stars turned the form around in no uncertain terms and there didn’t appear to be any fluke about the outcome. A lovely physical, she has the scope to continue to progress and the Yorkshire Oaks was mentioned as her next possible target.
Sparan Nua lost her unbeaten record but advanced her form again and would have done even better had she not had to switch from inside the out to get a run, the winner well beyond recall by the time she got in the clear. She’s open to further progress and remains one to keep on side.
July 18 – Newbury – Persica – 87
Richard Hannon’s gelding was a warm order to take advantage of a drop in class and although he didn’t win by far, he left the impression he had more than enough left in hand. A grand performer at levels just below top class, the four-year-old is reliable as a Swiss clock and this performance, based on the data, was one of his better ones in recent times.
Newbury – July 18 – Zigazig Ah – 77
A typically wide-open sprint for the juveniles and in a blanket finish, Richard Spencer’s filly just came out on top. The daughter of Rajasinghe had run over six furlongs on her two previous starts, so there was an element of doubt as to whether she would cope over the minimum trip but she did so with aplomb, staying on gamely to fend off two fancied rivals in the closing strides. She’s in a succession of sales races for her owner-breeder, all of them over further, and it’s by no means impossible there’s another big pot coming her way this term. The runner-up, Angels Lane, had received a positive mention from her trainer, for whom she is still his only juvenile runner this term, and went agonisingly close to landing a big prize. This was a good step up on the form of her winning Chepstow debut, the much faster ground proving no problem, and she can continue to improve with racing.