Time Tests downfall

Unfortunately, the easy ground at Sandown in the Eclipse proved Time Test’s downfall once again. Roger Charlton’s four year old was forced to miss the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Prince of Wales’s Stakes earlier this year, due to the underfoot conditions. While he ran creditably in third behind Hawkbill and The Gurkha, he is a different proposition on a sound surface. His connections will be praying for a dry spell on the lead up to the Juddmonte International Stakes at York next month. I still feel he is a Group 1 horse in waiting but must have his optimum conditions.

Typically, Reputation finished third in the seven furlongs handicap at Carlisle last night. The field was reduced to seven runners following the withdrawal of Galesburg. John Quinn’s charge wasn’t travelled early on but soon found his stride and probably hit the front too soon. In fact, I think he made up the ground too quickly and then had nothing left in the closing stages. Beaten a neck and head, his performance sums up my season so far. Perhaps he would have appreciated a livelier surface, too, but it was frustrating nevertheless.

I was working at Haydock Park yesterday and one horse for the notebook is the Richard Fahey trained Tatlisu. Beaten two and a half lengths by the former Stewards’ Cup winner and Group 1 placed Hoof It in fourth, he was running on well at the death. Last season’s Ayr Silver Cup winner was also placed in the likes of the Great St Wilfred and Coral Sprint last term. Pencil him in for the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton on Friday 15th July. The six year old finished second in the race last year and has good claims for going one better. Fahey has won the race with the likes of Knot In Wood (twice) and Quest For Success in the past. He handles heavy ground but is a better horse on a quicker surface. There was plenty to like about yesterday’s performance. He looks ready to strike.

Finally, what have G Force (25,000gns), Jet Setting (12,000gns) and Tawdeea (11,000gns) got in common? Answer, they were all bargain buys out of the Richard Hannon’s yard. The last named was acquired last Autumn and proved a terrific addition to the David O’Meara stable. The lightly raced four year old won the Old Newton Cup at Haydock yesterday and, in doing so, winning his third race of 2016.