Run Of Seconds

The horses generally remain in good form but are suffering a frustrating run of places at present. Both Taws and Cotton Club have progressed nicely as three-year-olds this season and it was slightly frustrating to see them both finish second at Salisbury. Cotton Club looked as if he was held by the handicapper but had been unsuited by slowly run races on his most recent starts. Ridden much more handily by Louis Steward this time, he battled on gamely up the home straight and fought past the long time leader before getting done on the line by the winner. He will make someone a lovely juvenile hurdler but hopefully we can get one more win out of him before he goes to the sales. Taws had won over course and distance two weeks previously and we were confident of a big run on easier ground. However, she did not get away well from the flag start and was not well placed. Although she stayed on past the rest, the winner had already flown (followed up under her penalty) and she remains likely to improve with time and a step up to two miles.

Dylan Centenary had been struggling to get away on terms since dropped back to sprints but he so nearly gave Sophie Killoran her first winner when just failing to get up in time at Bath. He certainly has the ability to win races and with maidens only getting weaker, he should get off the mark at some point and give Sophie plenty of valuable experience.

Kingsbridge had run in two competitive nurseries at Ascot and York (stayed on well last time) and dropped in grade, he ran well to finish third at Salisbury. He's capable of winning again. 

Prestige Second For Bonnie Grey

Bonnie Grey is becoming our two-year-old stable star as she picked up some more black-type when finishing second in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. She proved extremely game from the front, repelling all challengers before the Mick Channon trained Malabar cruised past on the bridle. It was still a smart effort for the daughter of Hellvelyn and confirmed that her Sandown third was no fluke. It looks as if she will stay a mile, so her next target may be the Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster.

Second Win For Taws

Taws gained compensation for being badly hampered at Sandown, which could have cost her the race when staying on strongly to land the Class 4 three-year-old 1m6f handicap in mid-August. She looked an unlikely winner half a mile from home but she stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to end up a cosy winner. Although she certainly does not do anything quickly - she can maintain that one speed quite nicely and as a half-sister to Deauville Flyer (rated 94 at best and a five-time winner for Tim Easterby) she should progress quite nicely next season.

The ground was too quick for Master Carpenter at Salisbury so he did not take his chance and will wait for some softer ground and with autumn on the way, there should be plenty of opportunities for our stable star.