Lumiere bounce back

It was good to see Lumiere bounce back to form in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes on the opening day of Newmarket’s July meeting. Mark Johnston’s Cheveley Park Stakes winner had finished last of sixteen in the 1000 Guineas on her reappearance. Given a break since, she looked back to her best with a six lengths victory under Joe Fanning. The trip proved no obstacle and it would be no surprise to see her fast tracked back to the highest level next time with the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September a possibility. Her performance vindicated her trainer’s high opinion of her.

Bounce ran another good race in the competitive six furlongs handicap for three year olds. Henry Candy’s filly had finished third at Leicester in May behind Taneen and, while she managed to reverse form with Roger Varian’s charge here, she found Dancing Star and Priceless too strong in the latter stages. A strong traveller, I would be tempted to drop her back to the minimum trip. She is a talent filly who is all speed. There is definitely a good prize to be won with her. As regards Taneen, he ran well enough in sixth but would have appreciated more cover and may not have been racing on the best part of the track. I feel he is better than he showed on this occasion.

Finally, make a note of Sir Michael Stoute’s well bred filly Believable who contested the first division of the juvenile fillies’ maiden at HQ. The daughter of Acclamation is a half-sister to the likes of Infallible, Remarkable and Watchable. Despite only finishing seventh and sent off 5/2 favourite, she reportedly missed some work on the lead up to the race but is considered a very nice filly in the making. The yard’s two year old’s usually improved markedly for their initial outing. She is one to bear in mind next time because Ryan Moore didn’t subject her to a hard race and that kindness is expected to be rewarded in the long-term.