Apolo – 3-year-old colt; John & Thady Gosden – this well-bred son of Kingman made his belated debut at Windsor last Monday and shaped with a ton of promise. A 625k Guineas yearling, he could be seen travelling well at the back of the field but was chopped off at a key stage, just as the race was unfolding. On the back foot thereafter, he made a big move to challenge for third only to tire in the final furlong. He should come on plenty for this and should win races before proving competitive in good handicaps.
Follow when running over 10f or a mile on good ground
Two Summers – 4-year-old filly; Adrian Keatley – Two Summers caught the eye two starts back on her seasonal debut when running well on the worst part of the track at Redcar and backed that run up with another fine effort at Beverley last time out. A mile was always likely to stretch her there and so it proved, but the manner with which she moved through the race strongly suggested she was on a good mark still. A 40k Guineas 2-year-old, she clearly has a bit about her physically and remarkably she has been dropped a pound for her most recent run.
Follow when running over 6 and 7 furlongs on soft ground
Gambe Veloci – 4-year-old gelding; Joseph O’Brien – this son of Caravaggio looked unlucky not to land a maiden last year but made no mistake on his seasonal debut when taking a Limerick contest by 3.5 lengths. The bare form is solid enough, but it was the manner of the victory that really caught the eye. Gambe Veloci was wide all the way and looked as though he might be in trouble when Nostringsattached kick for home. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding had other ideas, however, and produced a devastating turn of foot to run down the leader and win going away. Rated just 73, he may get a bit of a hike for this, but the manner of victory was so impressive that it’s unlikely races will be beyond him even with a rise. Bred to be decent, it would not be a surprise if he ends up in Pattern company.
Follow in one mile races on easy ground or the all-weather
Wrecking Ball Paul – 5-year-old gelding; Paul Mulligan – the recipient of some poor rides over the winter, Wrecking Ball Paul had no issues on that front on Navan on Saturday but simply found the 1m 5f trip too far in bad ground. Despite being bred for stamina, he hasn’t been getting home over 2m over hurdles and this keen, speedy sort looks ready for a drop back in trip. 10f looks his optimum, so look out for him when he finally gets that distance with a good draw.
Follow when running over 10f on the all-weather or soft ground.
Painters Palette – 4-year-old gelding; Rebecca Menzies – a winner of both starts for the yard prior to his recent fourth at Ripon, Painters Palette can have his effort there significantly upgraded. On a day when the rail proved a big advantage, Painters Palette made a big early move down the middle that he was always going to struggle to sustain. The way he moved through the race suggest he has more races in him off a mark in the low 80s and he can get back to winning ways soon.
Follow when running over 8-10f on the all-weather or on easy going.
Boy Douglas – 3-year-old gelding; Michael Dods – in a similar vein to Painters Palette, Boy Douglas also shaped well on the same card. He, too, attempted to move up wide, just getting tired on his seasonal debut having been weak in the market. Michael Dods has not yet hit top form, but this horse should have plenty more to come when the yard does start firing, particularly on his favoured soft ground.
Follow when running over 7-8f on good ground or slower.
Liberty Lane – 3-year-old colt; Karl Burke – Liberty Lane looked a top class prospect when running away with a Novice at Nottingham last year and retains a ton of potential despite suffering a defeat on his seasonal debut at Newmarket. Penalised for that run, he was too keen into a headwind there but travelled best, but gave best inside the final furlong. He will improve plenty for that run and should still make his mark in Pattern company, possibly over a little shorter.
Follow when running over a mile.
