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HAMILTON JUNE 24th
A low key card to start off the campaign at Hamilton.
Most taking performance was that of two-year-old maiden KRAkEN POWER in the six furlong maiden. He accelerated impressively up the hill to win with a good deal in hand and Iain Jardine would appear to have a decent youngster on his hands.
TINOCHIO won the five furlong two-year-old novice in a decent time and Kevin Ryan should have no trouble finding another race for this one who showed a decent turn of foot in the closing stages.
NEWMARKET – June 28th
ASCENSION finished last of four in a 6 furlong handicap at Newmarket today, but I’d be happy to set that form aside. He demonstrates a pronounced round action which has ‘soft ground performer’ written all over it. Ground on this occasion was quick and I would keep this one in mind if encountering ground on the soft side.
Tim Easterby looks to have found a decent opportunity for ART POWER to continue his climb up the ranks. He competes in the 6 furlong Group 3 Lacken Stakes for three-year-olds, the closing race on the card at Naas on Saturday. If the King Power owned colt runs up to his Ascot form then he will win this.
On a day when I when I couldn’t tip a wheelbarrow thankfully ART POWER proved he could step up to the plate when required, winning the Lacken Stakes in impressive style. He went away from a decent looking in Millisle who in turn was 4 lengths and more clear of the remainder. On the evidence of three convincing wins this season there’s a good chance Art Power will be snapping at Bataash’s heels.
ANYTHINGTODAY ran a poor race in the Old Newton Cup but Roger Fell reported he struggled in the testing ground. He did win on soft going at Bath, but Bath soft will be completely different from Haydock and we know that Tellwrong’s going description often eminates from fantasy land.
BLUE SHADOW stayed on to finish fourth in a one mile maiden at Naas. This looked a better contest than the Roscommon race. Presumably trainer will be looking to get a handicap mark and then look to step up in trip.
STOCKBRIDGE TAP contests a 4 runner handicap 1.40 at Ripon over 1m 4f today. I was impressed with his tenacity at Thirsk and evidence of that run suggests this is his trip.
STOCKBRIDGE TAP ran a fair second at Ripon and there shoudl be a handicap to be foudn with this one soon.
HALA HALA HALA contested a fillies’ Group 2 contest at Newmarket, well there until outpaced inside the final 300 yards. Looked to just be short of the mark in the rain softened ground and was not given a hard time once beaten. She can make here mark in slightly lesser company on quicker ground.
CAPE COAST kept on tenaciously to win over 1m 6f at Newmarket (13/2) confirming the promise of his Thirsk effort. Mark Johnston will find opportunities for this one around the 14 furlong trip and will presumably keep this one on the go while in good heart.
Been rather quiet of late and nothing much has caught the eye. CONVICT ran a so-so race at Hamilton, pulling early on and only able to plod home at one pace in the latter stages. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in something like the Melrose as I’m sure the step up in trip will benefit in the way it did for half-brother Hamish.
ART POWER is apparently aimed at the Nunthorpe Stakes which looks a cracker this year. He’s not been pressed in winning his three races this year so really could be top class.
HALA HALA HALA ran a cracker in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot yesterday, going down by less than a length to Santosha. She was held close home but she saw her race out well enough. The quicker ground suited and she has a decent chance of picking up a Listed or Group 3 race this term.
BLUE SHADOW was beaten a long way behind Pugin in a maiden at Gowran Park on Saturday and the jury remains out in the short term. Nothing reported to the stewards as a problem but this way below previous runs. He is qualified for handicaps now though.
STOCKBRIDGE TAP contests a 1m 5f Class 4 Handicap at Ayr tomorrow (3.00). This is an all-aged event but the class looks right and he should have a decent chance stepped up a furlong.
A bit quiet of late as I haven’t spotted anything of particular interest.
ART POWER steps forward for his big test tomorrow in the Nunthorpe Stakes. He hasn’t been pressed in winning up to Group 3 level so far and I am confident that at worst he will make Battaash pull out his absolute best in this contest.
One to note from York yesterday was MAKAWEE a staying on third in the two mile handicap. She has been running over shorter distances but on the evidence of her run here she needs every yard of the two miles and maybe even further. She has only been out of the first 3 once in her efforts at 1m 6f or more.I’d be interested in her running at the likes of Doncaster or Pontefract over 2 miles plus and will keep an eye out for an entry in the Cesarewitch. Newmarket’s stiff test might be just what she needs.
ART POWER was out of his comfort zone early and couldn’t cope with the step up in class at York. I suspect the raw ability for the level is there but he may take some time to adapt. QUE AMORO proved a tough nut for Battaash to crack and is yet another very decent Land Of Burns Stakes winner.
ASCENSION appeared at Newmarket on Saturday, now gelded and with conditions absolutely to suit. He beat three others at the surprisingly generous price of 5/2.
One To watch
GAMESTERS ICON struggled in Class 3 at Ripon, but handles soft and heavy ground very well and is worth keeping in mind for a Grade 4 contest in the coming weeks.
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