Weekend Review

Apologies for lack of entries in the Diary over the last few days - it has been a busy spell going racing at Carlisle (Monday), Haydock (Thursday & Saturday) this week. It is more of the same over the next seven days with trips to Redcar (Monday), Hamilton Park (Wednesday) and York (Saturday) pending. I will continue to gather information whilst there for the Royal Ascot Update, which is published on Sunday 15th June.

It has been a disappointing weekend for the Top 40 in Ahead On The Flat even though Cosmic Year and Sardinian Warrior produced career best efforts in Group 1 company. The pair finished runner-up in the Irish 2000 Guineas and Prix d'Ispahan at the Curragh and Longchamp respectively. Neither had raced above Listed level but improved significantly on their previous runs. Cosmic Year didn't clear the clearest passages in Ireland but stayed on well behind the impressive Field of Gold. It will be interesting to see where Harry Charlton's colt runs next - he looks quick enough to drop back to seven furlongs which brings races such as the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot (21st June) or Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville (6th July) into the equation. Longer-term, the son of Kingman looks tailormade for the Group 1 City of York Stakes in August. There were no excuses for Sardinian Warrior, who had the run of the race in Paris. Partnered by Christophe Soumillon, the John & Thady Gosden trained four year old sat in behind the leader before striking the front early in the homestraight. Reeled in late on by last year's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe fourth Sosie, he was ultimately outstayed and beaten by a better horse. Don't be surprised if he reverts back to a mile in the Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal meeting (17th June). 

French Master did provide the Top 40 with a winner at Goodwood despite finding plenty of trouble in running and only getting there in the shadow of the post in the staying handicap. Robert Havlin's partner travelled well in behind the prominent racer Ocean of Dreams but was forced to switch to the far rail before finding the room to challenge. The lightly raced four year old responded to strong pressure edging out Story Horse and Dancing In Paris by a neck and short head. Scoring off a mark of 96, he was suited by the step up to a mile and six and ought to improve again over two miles. Unbeaten on the all-weather, he looks tailormade for the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (28th June).

As discussed, I was working at Haydock on Saturday and, having suggested American Affair at 16/1 for the Group 2 Temple Stakes, it was frustrating to see Jim Goldie's stable star only finish fifth. Drawn in stall ten, Paul Mulrennan's mount broke quickly - almost too well - and found himself more prominent than usual. His jockey then elected to switch the five year old towards the middle of the track and, as a result, he found himself stuck in behind the lowest rated runner Law of Average (finished last). The Scottish raider was therefore unable to make his challenge when the race was warming up. The eventual winner Mgheera came from further back and was the best horse in the race but one can't help thinking American Affair should have been closer and finished in the money. He didn't look out of place in this company and it will be a surprise if he doesn't win a Pattern race this season.