Round up ... April 2nd and 3rd

Saturday:

The Doncaster meeting was very unsatisfactory from a ratings point of view. The stands side clearly had the best ground (that is to say, the most grass!) in the opener. In the next they crowded on to the nearside rail resulting in very few getting a clear run.

In the Lincoln, those that could raced stand side did so, but some drifted to the middle at the finish. So not a fair reflection to make any sound ratings from.

Time wise, it was also a bit average. The winners of the first three races only really matching their current ratings.(edit)

In the 2yo race (the Brocklesby) it was only fair, but who knows with 2 year olds at this time of year?

The two class 4 handicaps were won by the top-weights, and showed both winners had trained-on, but not a lot more.

Mirrored, a 4yo won carrying 9.7, but this was only a modest class 4, and previous efforts were a much better standard than this. However, he should go on from this.(EDIT-6/4/2011)

So the only horse who substantially improved came in the final race ...

FRONTLINE GIRL - This was only a class 5 apprentice h'cap, but the time was good and had some good benchmarks in 3rd, 4th, and 5th - Gala Casino Star, Rosbay and Kings Counsel(edit) - so the rating of 71 may well be okay next time out? Likewise the 2nd, ZAFRANAGAR who had some form last year.

Sunday ... Doncaster:

I think again, the best you can say about all these races is that the winners matched their current rating. That is to say, they will have to improve next time because they will find their marks will go up.

The one positive I would pick upon is HORSERADISH.

When a horse improves towards the end of a season, it can be difficult for them to maintain that the following year. So I think this should go on and have a pretty good season if he is not too highly tried early on.

(Note - I am in edit mode, 7.45pm Wednesday, 6th April) -I should also include a positive for;

IVORY SILK - Only a head behind the above and did improve on his current rating.

Curragh:

Contrasting fortunes here.

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY ... I can only rate this at 79(edit), which is basically class 4 maiden entry level!

Yes, first run for nearly a year. Yes it was heavy ground. But even so, this was very disappointing. So much was expected after a spectacular 2yo career, and if you put that to one side, his 2000 Guineas run was pretty good. Group 3 at least. Whatever they think was the problem, this outing shows as to what level he fallen to, and has a very long way to go if he is going to be even a shadow of his former self. Very sad.

The winner, Unaccompanied will find it very tough when he is reassessed!!(EDIT - Note; This was run at a 2 mile hurdle pace!!)

The positives are ...

LOLLY FOR DOLLY and THE CHEKA who fought out the finish of the Group 3 7f race

Both get a deserved 118 rating, and they will be a force to reckon with in Group 1 races. I am not sure how much they are ground dependent, as the former ran well enough on good to firm. On the upgrade without a doubt

WEST COAST DREAM also clocked a useful time in the 6f h'cap and should be noted if it crosses the water for a race over here.

SING SOFTLY won, but did not improve her current rating.

Well that is it.

Gerry