Friday Review

Porta Fortuna claimed the third Group 1 win of her career when strolling clear in the Falmouth Stakes on day two of the July meeting at Newmarket. Donnacha O'Brien's stable star was narrowly beaten in the 1000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile before gaining compensation in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Partnered for the first time by Ryan Moore, the daughter of Caravaggio proved far too good for her opponents here pulling away inside the final furlong. A Group 1 winner over six furlongs and a mile, she handles most surfaces and is a thoroughly likeable filly who could bid for Breeders' Cup glory at the end of the season. There is plenty more to do before now and then though.

Involvement was one of the selections for the Britannia Stakes in the Royal Ascot Update and, while Simon and Ed Crisford's Lope De Vega colt ran well in seventh, his breeding suggested he would improve when tackling further. Out of a mare who was placed in the Epsom Oaks, he relished the step up to ten furlongs in the opening three year old handicap and defeated nine opponents by upwards of three parts of a length off a mark of 96. The type to keep improving, he has Pattern race aspirations. 

The Tim Easterby trained Leadenhall was nominated for the Carlisle Bell in the Update and, as discussed, the ex-Juddmonte owned gelding was given a kamikaze ride from the front at the Cumbrian track. Returning to action at York on Friday, he was dropped back to seven furlongs and the same rider adopted a much more patient approach. Inevitably, the four year old met trouble in running before staying on well in third. Rated 77, the son of Kingman will hopefully be reunited with David Allan in the near future. There are two suitable handicaps at York later this month - there is a 0-80 handicap over seven furlongs (26th July) or a 0-80 handicap over a mile the following day. 

Talking of the Knavesmire, I am working there on Saturday for what promises to be a terrific afternoon with Listed and Group 3 action, plus 22 runners declared for the John Smith's Cup. In total, there are 107 runners declared and a bumper crowd is anticipated.