Older flat horses to follow

Bourne – 5yo gelding, Cumani

Back next time out in handicap

This reliable sort looked to be on a winnable mark at Newbury for his seasonal debut (the 10f race on Fred Darling /Greenham day), and was backed down to 9/2.  I wasn’t sure he was fit and I opposed him, but I think his fourth was impressive enough.  Upped one pound, he’ll go off 83 next time and, fitter, should have a win in him.

Clowance – 6yo mare, Charlton

Back in Group races over 12f+ on soft ground

I think Roger Charlton has finally learnt what this horse can and can’t do.  She can’t win over less than a mile and a half.  She can’t win unless the ground is softer than good.  She can’t be trusted to stay healthy.  Fortunately, given the injuries, she goes well fresh, and she’s a tremendously talented animal.  Very glad she’s not in the breeding barn yet. I can see her travelling all over Europe looking for soft ground, and I’ll be on board whenever she gets her conditions.

Crystal Gal – 4yo filly, Wadham

Back next time out in Listed/Group company over 10f+

Rather a speculative addition to the list, this one.  Lucy Wadham had a few good horses at the Guineas meeting (a pleasant surprise for this underrated trainer, who mostly houses jumps horses).  This filly, who might, I suppose, be a hurdler next winter, was an eye-catching Galileo sort.  She was on her toes a bit in the paddock, and not going far enough (the Dahlia is 9f, I’d rather see her over 12f, but she might have the speed for 10f) and finished a fairly pedestrian 8^th of 11.  She’s capable of better, though, and I think she might pop up in a listed or group 3 somewhere fairly soon.  Her handicap mark is too high and she’s not a world-beater, but she might come in at a price (unfashionable yard, ordinary form) if she’s placed correctly.

Modun – 4yo gelding, Stoute

Back next time out

This seems like a very lazy pick, and it won’t get you any fancy prices, but I have to include this horse on my list.  He won the 10f handicap at Newbury in the manner of a very good horse.  He represents the appealing Sadler’s Wells/King’s Best cross, and he’s an older horse with Sir Michael Stoute.  His entry for the Irish St Ledger suggests they’ll be upping him in trip sooner or later, and I’d guess he might have one more run in handicap company (105 is stiff enough, but not unmanageable, something like the George V at Royal Ascot might be a target) before the inevitable step up into Group Class.  Connections are savvy enough that I trust them to put him in the right race.

Perpetually – 5yo gelding, Johnston

Back next time out

This lightly raced gelding was making his first start for almost a year at Newmarket and looked badly in need of the run.  He’s obviously had some problems but is beautifully built, nicely bred, and had a wonderfully athletic walk.  He’s off 87 at the moment and might just drop (having finished 11^th of 12 last time) but I think he’ll end this year at a much higher rating.  Prices should be fancy next time but he’s one to keep on the right side of.

Verdant – 4yo colt, Stoute

Back next time out

I made a complete hash of the John Porter, I admit it.  I ended up backing three horses, none of which made the frame.  The final horse I backed was Verdant, who went to post with such a loose, athletic stride, that I knew I’d be kicking myself for not backing him.  He ran disappointingly, and I don’t know if he was unfit or outclassed, but I can’t get that image of him hacking to post out of my head.  He’s a well-bred (Singspiel/Selkirk) older horse with Stoute, and he’s worth one more chance.  Has an entry for a listed 12f race at Ascot on Saturday.