Weekend Review

It has been a tremendous few days for Owen Burrows with the former assistant to Sir Michael Stoute sending out four winners from only five runners since Wednesday. Those victories included Hukum's head win in the King George at Ascot on Saturday, while Alflaila overcame an absence of 294 days before collecting the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes earlier in the afternoon. The Ascot showpiece was billed as the rematch of the Epsom Derby first and second, namely Auguste Rodin and King of Steel, but it was the older horses who held sway with Hukum and Westover battling it out in the closing stages. The six year old won the Coronation Cup over a year ago before sustaining an injury which threatened to end his career. However, Burrows and his team have done an outstanding job bringing the full-brother to Baaeed back winning the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown from Desert Crown in late May. Suited by some ease in the ground, he was recording his third win at the Berkshire track and his second victory at the highest level. The underfoot conditions will dictate his programme, while Ralph Beckett's runner-up will be aimed at the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe once again having finished sixth at Longchamp in 2022. 

Auguste Rodin was in trouble before the hometurn and, while the ground may not have been to his liking, it is hard to believe it is the sole reason. Workmanlike in his victory at the Curragh in the Irish Derby, he is a very good horse but won't go down as one of the Ballydoyle greats, despite the fact he has been spoken of as such by his connections. As far as King of Steel is concerned, he was keen early but travelled strongly before his effort flattened out in the final furlong. A drop back to ten furlongs could be on the cards but is a big horse who will be at his best as a four year old. Hopefully Roger Varian will be given the opportunity to campaign the Wootton Bassett colt as he wishes. Aside from Auguste Rodin, the disappointment of the race was Emily Upjohn. The Coronation Cup victor held every chance turning for home but Frankie Dettori's mount soon came under pressure as she faded into seventh position. She reportedly ran flat and may need a break before coming back in the Autumn.

Value Racing Club have also enjoyed a very productive years with an across the card double on Friday courtesy of Cairn Gorm (12/1) and Squeezebox (9/2) within the space of 25 minutes at York and Newmarket respectively. Racing manager James Couldwell was on hand on the July course and gave an excellent interview with Anthony Dunkley on Racing TV afterwards. It doesn't get much better than having two winners at Grade 1 tracks on the same day. As I have stated numerous times before, James deserves all the success he gets. Earlier in the week, he travelled with Tom Lacey to Ireland to the store sale and returned with three new purchases.

I was working on the Knavesmire on Friday evening and I would suggest readers keep an eye on those who dominated the finish to the two year old contest. The seven furlongs event has been won by the likes of Wells Farhh Go (2017) and Shaquille (2022) and it will be a surprise if the 2023 version doesn't unearth some useful types. There were four debutants in the line up and they filled three of the first four places. The William Haggas trained winner Loose Cannon was expected to run well but would improve for the experience, which bodes well for the future, while the runner-up Candonomore is a good looking son of Almanzor. Tim Easterby has a decent sort on his handles, while the fourth Apiarist ran better than his finishing position suggests. The colt of Night of Thunder cost 100,000gns and is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Dabyah. Slowly away, Kevin Ryan's runner was last turning for home before making up ground smoothly. Still on the bridle with the winner passing the two marker, his effort petered out late on. The way he went through the race suggested he possesses his fair share of ability.