Theyoungracegoer.com Horse Racing from a Young Perspective

It was tough to follow the huge amount of racing we had on saturday in particular but a number of runners caught my eye over the weekend, some winning and value for more and others unlucky not to go closer

Newmarket -Thursday 12th July

Ghost Protocol

David Simcock

8th -  2:25 Goldsmith’s Handicap

Took part in a good race on Thursday though could never get involved when not getting the clearest of runs and staying on in ground that wouldn’t have particularly been to his liking. He didn’t stay 1m4f at Ascot but the time before that was a good run behind Grandeur and Trader Jack which was an eyecatching effort, at Goodwood. Good ground seems to be what he needs and for won so lightly raced, he is worth keeping an eye on off 85.With that effort at Goodwood in mind, a return there for the main festival later this month could really see a big run, especially if the ground is better and the pace is strong. The winner has improved quite a bit to win this race and it must be worth noting that Beaufort Twelve, who was unlucky not to beat the same horse at Windsor when last seen and on good ground is really well handicapped. Hajras and Fennell Bay are two others who are better than the margin they lost by and both would be interesting for a yard that do so well at that meeting

Advice – Back on next 3 starts and watch out if seen at Goodwood especially

Certify

Mahmood Al Zarooni

1st – 3:35  Three Chimneys EBF Fillies’ Stakes

A really taking debut from this filly. She was a notable eyecatcher in the paddock beforehand and although the market didn’t expect her to win, she duly hacked up in a really taking performance in what is a usually decent maiden. She clearly stayed well here on soft ground, ground in which his sire Elusive Quality does surprisingly well on. She raced far side and travelled into the race really well before quickening away hands and heels. She is clearly smart and should also be better on a faster surface. Group class beckons with something like York possibly being a target or maybe even back here for the Sweet Solera, a race connections won last year with Discourse.

Advice – Follow this season

 

 

 

Newbury – Friday 13th July

Montiridge

Richard Hannon

1st – 2:15 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing E B F Maiden Stakes

This first time out 2yo made a highly impressive debut when beating some good opposition in taking style at Newbury on Friday. He and the runner-up were five lengths clear of some decent types though the second had already had experience and course experience at that too, when finishing in the same position behind another really smart looking Hannon 2yo. They both won by similar margins but taking into account the pretty soft ground too, this performance must be highly credited. He travelled like a seriously good horse and then even though inexperience a little, he was still well on top at the end and it will be fascinating to see where he goes next. His relations didn’t live up to much at all while his sire is a first season but has had three winners from his six progeny seen out so far, this clearly the most promising of them so far. In behind the front two, the third ran well on debut while Ayaar in fourth already has a good run in similar ground in a group two in Ireland so the form is not bad at all even if that one didn’t run his race.

Advice – Follow this season

 

 

 

Newmarket – Saturday 14th July

Maxentius

Peter Chapple-Hyam

3rd – 32red.com Superlative Stakes

This could have been a well above average renewal of this race and the front three look potentially very good horses. The Superlative hasn’t had a really strong winner for a few years but this could be a big exception. The winner Olympic Glory already had a Coventry 2nd to his name, that looking like really strong juvenile. However it was the runs of Birdman and in particular Maxentius that really caught my eye. Birdman was unlucky not to win this race anyway when not getting the best of runs and staying on really nicely only to just not catch the winner. However the third travelled into the race with ridiculous ease and I thought Jamie Spencer was slightly surprised how well he picked up as he got to the lead far too early which told. But he was still impressive how we stuck on for third after getting a little outpaced in the ground. He had before shown to be a very strong traveller and that didn’t suit in this awful ground so when back on good ground and possibly even at 6f even though he’ll stay (pedigree has a good bit of stamina on the dams side, sire produced a good mix), I’d be finding it hard to oppose him whoever he faced as he looks to have a very high cruising speed and big engine. The fact that Peter Chapple-Hyam has said he is one of the best 2yo’s he has had says it all.

Advice – Follow this season, especially when on better ground.

 

Kimberella

Michael Bell

3rd – Earl Of Euston Nursery

Michael Bell’s filly seemed to be slightly unlucky not to win this nursery off top weight. She travelled in behind the front two all of the way and quickened really nicely to lead inside the final furlong, making up a lot of ground. However that told in the final stages and she got tired, only to be collared by two on the line, both who seemed to have the run of the race. The form of her maidens have worked out really well, notably a 2nd to Mister Marc and with more certainly to come too, she has shown she can be competitive off 86. Although maybe hard to place now, she is clearly the best horse in this race and like I said, she will be very competitive off her mark for now.

Advice – Back next 3 starts

 

Educate

Ismael Mohammed

5th – Celebrating Newmarket – Historic Home Of Horse Racing Handicap

Very little went for this lightly raced type but I think he could be quite decent. Again in what was a usual theme for the day, most of the winners were up with the pace and after threatening to get involved right in the finish of this, he ran all over the place and could in the end only finish 5th. He was the only horse to run off the pace though and it seemed as if the ground caused him to run like he did as he seemed very professional when beating a decent La Pampita who is rated in the high 70′s. Off 82, maybe with a couple of pounds drop, there is definitely races to be had with him and i’ll be amazed if he didn’t improve throughout the season too. His trainer is new to this country and this one could be his early flagbearer.

Advice – Back all starts this year, especially when on better ground

 

 

 

York – Saturday 14th July

Mount Athos

Luca Cumani

1st – John Smith’s Silver Cup

A more obvious one than most but this was an incredible performance from Mount Athos who is really coming of age and he put up in my eyes a group winning performance in taking this off top weight off a mark of 108. The ground dried out just enough for him to run but still it wouldn’t have been ideal and he absolutely thrashed a competitive field by 4 lengths. His mark obviously will go up further now but when he faces good ground or faster at around 1m6f-2m, there are not many horses in this country that would be able to beat him. The Melbourne Cup looks to be the aim and the record of Luca Cumani, who has been incredibly unlucky not to win this yet, he could have the perfect candidate in this type with the race being absolutely perfect for him. Like I said it’s not an original pick but I was so taken by this performance that I had to put it on. The runner-up High Jinx was progressive before this and has not disgraced at all to finish behind this horse while Suraj also had a progressive profile but his inexperience seemed to tell. He should improve with age and definitely has a big future to come.

Advice – Follow this season