Brilliant training performance

Congratulation to George Boughey and his team following Bow Echo's brilliant performance in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday. Hugo Palmer's former assistant has done a superb job with the well bred son of Night of Thunder. Unbeaten as a juvenile, including a Group 2 win in the Royal Lodge Stakes over C&D last Autumn, he was prepared beautifully throughout the winter for the first colts' Classic and he destroyed his thirteen rivals powering away in the closing stages to score by nearly three lengths from Gstaad with eight lengths back to the third. I was fortunate enough to interview George at the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket in mid February and he left me in know doubt that he felt the Bow Echo was capable of winning the 2000 Guineas. His late owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid was adamant that he would only run three times as a juvenile even though his trainer was desperate to run him in the Dewhurst Stakes last October. It was a well executed plan delivered brilliantly by Boughey and his staff. I was delighted for him even though I was kicking myself for not including him in the Top 40. 

Instead, I foolishly selected Distant Storm who ran creditably in third but was ultimately outclassed by the beaten. He is capable of winning Group races this term but will fall short of the highest level if his display here is anything to go by.

The Top 40 continued its good run earlier in the day though with Double Rush proving much too good for his opponents in the valuable sprint handicap on the Rowley Mile. Formerly trained by Charlie Hills, the four year old has looked a different proposition since joining Andrew Balding and he made it two out of two for his new handler when defying a five pounds penalty to win by two and a quarter lengths. Eight pounds 'well in' compared to future engagements, he is destined for Pattern races but is likely to be entered in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot in the meantime. He has been a terrific selection and the Balding team may be only merely scratching the surface at present.

Indeed, it was a tremendous afternoon for the Kingsclere outfit with four winners including Listed wins for Flora of Bermuda and Blue Bolt at Newmarket and Goodwood respectively. The pair were placed at the highest level last term and were entitled to win. The latter booked her ticket for the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal meeting last month. She has plenty more to offer and settled well under Colin Keane at the Sussex track.

Having followed him blind for the last two seasons, I was pleased to see Night Raider (9/1) finally get his head in front once again. Best fresh over five furlongs on fast ground, Karl Burke's charge got his optimum conditions in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes on Saturday and made the most of the opportunity. Showing natural early speed, he held on to score by half a length with his trainer pointing out that the five year old has improved since being gelded during the winter. The Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August will provide his best opportunity of winning at the highest level.

It was another successful afternoon for followers of Ahead On The Flat with Blue Bolt (4/6), Bow Echo (9/2), Flora of Bermuda (7/2), Double Rush (4/6), Night Raider (9/1), Soul Love (11/1) and Yabher (9/4) all winning.