Isis Blue Finally Fulfils Potential

We had high hopes that Isis Blue was going to be a progressive three-year-old this season but things hadn't quite gone to plan this year. He was unlucky when second on his return at Kempton, getting hampered at a crucial stage but ran far too keenly when disappointing on his next two outings. We dropped him right out at Warwick to get him to relax and although he was left with too much to do, it was a step in the right direction as he stayed on well for third. Stepped up to ten furlongs at Salisbury on Thursday evening, he settled well off the strong early pace and as he gradually made his way into contention, he soon put the race to bed when asked to quicken inside the final two furlongs. It was an impressive success and although the handicapper has raised him to 75, we hope he can progress through the grades this season.

One filly that has improved this season is Poetic Verse but a four-timer proved beyond her at Sandown. Stepped up to fourteen furlongs but more importantly up in grade, she stayed on steadily to claim fourth place and it looks as if the handicapper may have got hold of her for now. She has gone up twenty three pounds since winning at Southwell in February and while she has a fantastic attitude, she lacks the scope of some of her rivals and life won't be easy this summer.