Fair play to Alan King - he made the decision a couple of years ago to prioritise flat racing over jumps and he is having some really nice winners
Ebro River held every chance but didn't pick up well enough. Not far away in 4th in a tight race. He didn't really get a lot of cover and the ground had dried out more than was probably ideal. His tongue was hanging out and they might want to look at tying that down next time. Maybe he's not progressing now but perhaps they are barking up the wrong tree at 6F. Maybe one of these days he will run badly enough to have a rethink with him. It didn't look the strongest of Richmond's to me and I would say it panned out like a Group 3 at best. Not Group 2 form in my mind.
Just realised thats a pretty unfortunate analogy given the recent panorama programme. But you get my meaning. Jumps is ****. Flat is better.
The improved Handicapper wins the Gordon Stakes. Well done to Murtagh in bringing him through the ranks and stepping up in trip to trump those who had been rubbing shoulders with Derby winners, albeit distantly in some cases. Third Realm was disappointing and his win from Adayar looks a mystery based on today's effort. I saw Wordsworth described as "A proven Group 1 performer" in a preview for today's race but he has been remote from the winners in those race and sometimes only one Group 1 horse contests these contests and sometimes a lesser horse wins Group 1 races on occasion. This was not a good compliment to Hurricane Lane today. Moore ended up on the wrong one, as Sir Lucan took second place. He had beaten Wordsworth the last time they met but was much bigger priced than him today. Youth Spirit ran quite well but Yibir has disappointed again on ground with cut in it. Oh well, I thought Third Realm should win this but he's been bested by two colts rated 104 coming in. Quite a poor renewal of the Gordon Stakes and surely it is Hurricane Lane's St Leger if he turns up.
A Pint Of Bear ran an absolute corker to finish second, giving it everything right to the line. Young rider did nothing wrong and rode a very good race, but along came that guy William Buick to spoil the party! Never mind, 11/1 quoted above not too bad an e/w. APOB is a very useful sprinter given the right conditions.