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Thursday 12 September 2013

Up a bit, down a bit - 12th Sept



A few weeks gone by since I last took to the blog to post an "Up a bit, down a bit" - the reason mainly being a lack of response to any posts.

There wasn't a great deal on offer last week but there was a Group 1 at Haydock won by Gordon Lord Byron. It was pretty predictable stuff as he was one of the few in the race that could stay 7f and he also had the form to make his mark as well as acting on soft. Plus throw in the jockey that can do no wrong in a Group race, Johnny Murtagh, and you have a recipe for success.
He won by a comfortable 3 lengths from Slade Power with 3/4 of a length to Hoof It and the same to my ew selection Hawkeyethenoo and he now looks likely to head for the Prix De La Foret at Longchamp.

On the same card Confessional finally came good in the Class 2 Be Friendly Handicap and in doing so recorded a top speed figure of 95 which is up with the best he has achieved in the past. He has been raised 6lbs tp 100 and now that he has got his head in front connections will be hoping that he can go in again in tis weeks Portland. Harrison George in second improved again and continued his good run and he is entered at the Curragh on the 14th in a Group 3.

At Ascot the same afternoon Dungannon was another to eventually get his head in front in the 5f Class 3 Handicap 2 years after his last win.His last win was off 95 and this was done off 86 so the 3lb rise in his handicap mark leaves him capable of going on from this, although he has no current entries.

On Friday 6th September at Haydock Imperial Legend got the better of Rusty Rocket over 5f and was a welcome winner for David Nicholls and in doing so he recorded his best top speed figure and Racing Post rating of the season so he will go into the Ayr Gold Cup meeting in top form. He is only likely to get into the Bronze or Silver Cups but Nicholls has also earmarked a 5f Handicap that he could run in at the same meeting. The second Rusty Rocket also recorded his best top speed and RPR to date and  he is also entered at Ayr, he tried his best to make all the running but was headed close to the finish and he can surely win again as this was a sterling effort from top weight.