Dal Horrisgle one for the future

Being a half-brother to former stablemate and dual Listed winner Dal Harraild, the William Haggas trained Dal Horrisgle is bred to be a useful horse and the son of Nathaniel looked just that at Haydock on Thursday. Successful at Wolverhampton as a juvenile in November, he was gelded during the winter and made a winning return to action at Nottingham under a penalty over a mile last month. Given an opening mark of 90, Dal Horrisgle made his handicap debut over ten furlongs at the Merseyside track. Slowly away and behind early on, he made smooth headway under James Doyle before taking over approaching the two marker. Staying on strongly, he wasn't hard pressed to beat dual Hamilton winner Southern Rock by three lengths. The fact he has won three times over a mile and ten furlongs speaks volumes re his ability because he is bred to come into his own over middle/staying trips. The Melrose Stakes at York (24th August) looks an obvious long-term target. The Somerville Lodge team won the one mile six event with Guarantee in 2012.

Logician, who is featured in the Unraced Three Year Olds section of AOTF, made it three out of three with an authoritative display at Newbury on Thursday evening. The Frankel colt was making his handicap debut off a mark of 90 and John Gosden's charge strolled to a four and a half lengths victory. Tackling twelve furlongs for the first time, he was confidently ridden by Frankie Dettori with the grey making stealthy progress on the outside before being pushed clear to win hard held. Entered in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York next month, he isn't guaranteed to stay further but his style of racing suggests a mile and six will be within his stamina range and it would be no surprise to see the champion trainer give Logician an entry in the St Leger. Gosden has won the oldest Classic on four occasions. He is a cracking prospect who is thriving at present.