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. 

Three Wins So Far In June

The yard's good run of form has continued in June, with three winners so far. Taws had slowly got the hang of racing in her three maidens but stepped up to 1m6f, encountering soft ground at Nottingham, she made an impressive winning handicap debut. She does not do anything quickly but kept to extreme distances, she is certainly capable of winning some nice races, especially when there is ease in the ground.

The yard is having a cracking time with the two-year-olds, with five having stepped foot on the racecourse and four of them have won already, while Marcano finished third on his only start in a very competitive maiden at Newbury. Kingsbridge showed plenty of speed on his debut over six furlongs at Goodwood, so Seb Sanders suggested dropping him back to the minimum trip, despite the fact he is bred for a bit further. However, he handled the speedier test at Nottingham with ease when improving nicely to secure success on his second start. Similar comments applied to Indaria who was green and needed the experience when only fourth on her debut at Bath. With that run under her belt, she showed tremendous early speed on her second start at Salisbury, racing a tad keenly under Oisin Murphy but always doing enough to hold on. She should have an exciting two-year-old season, especially as she seems comfortable on a fast surface.