Fran Berry's Notebook: Looking back on Newmarket Classic trials including Craven Stakes
Skardu made a deep impression at Newmarket this week and Fran Berry reflects on the action before looking ahead to the Good Friday features.
Fran Berry's 2019 Notebook: My Stable
Follow Fran's eyecatchers using our completely free tracker My Stable...
Thakaa - Ran better than the bare form suggests when fifth at Newmarket on Wednesday finishing off well up the hill and seemingly crying out for a step up in trip. She's possibly one for handicaps a little further down the line.
Mons Star - Good effort first time out for Saeed bin Suroor in fourth to Jalmoud and sure to improve for the run. One of a few to catch the eye in this particular event, one which is expected to throw up its fair share of future winners.
Big thumbs up for Varian filly Qab
Qabala was the star of the show at Newmarket on Tuesday when landing the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes in good style.
The betting market spoke strongly in her favour and she delivered in a big way on just the second run of her life.
Throughout the first couple of days it appeared you wanted to be on or close to the pace and towards the stands' rail so you'd have to mark up her performance a bit given she came from mid-pack towards the centre of the course.
She doesn't bend her knee and is suited by fast ground while she handles the dip at Newmarket extremely well. She's also got a really good cruising speed and relaxes in her races so I wouldn't have thought moving up to a mile will be a problem at all.
Mot Juste ran very well on her reappearance and Angel's Hideaway did well to get third after such a slow start but perhaps the one to take out of it was Andrew Balding's Look Around.
She took an age to get organised and will be happier back on a more conventional course as she goes up in distance but she's now back on track after disappointing at Goodwood at the end of last season. She's one to monitor going forward.
Kick On not for catching
Earlier on the card on Tuesday Kick On put himself in the picture for a potential 2000 Guineas bid with an all the way win in the bet365 Feilden Stakes.
It was a good performance from the front as he was fresh enough early on and was tending to just over-race a little for Oisin Murphy.
He still had enough in reserve to go on and win and should benefit from the run as Oisin did have to ask the question late on to hold off Walkinthesand.
I suppose a lot depends on Too Darn Hot and whether he pitches up in the Guineas, it could throw the whole thing wide open if not, but Kick On has shown that he's trained on at least and he's quite a taking individual in terms of his size and scope so I'd be surprised if there wasn't a lot of improvement to come.
Skar deeply impressive in Craven
Skardu only won by a neck in Wednesday's bet365 Craven Stakes but he didn't do a huge amount when he hit the front and I'd be surprised if any of those in behind were able to reverse the form in the Guineas itself.
I was very impressed by William Haggas' horse and the way he went about his business as he settled quite well at the rear while plenty of his rivals pulled for their heads. He was tucked away at the back and James Doyle had to wait to get a run but the turn of foot was impressive and really got him out of trouble.
Skardu is open to any amount of improvement after just the second start of his life and he's been given a good education with the first Classic in mind as he's now two from two on the Rowley Mile.
It'll be interesting to see if Persian King is tempted over from France and obviously whatever Aidan O'Brien runs has to be highly respect but, Too Darn Hot aside, it looks like Skardu will be the best of the British at the moment.
Good Friday for favourites?
French horses dominated proceedings on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield last year and there could be a similar flavour as Amade bids to add to his impressive tally in the Marathon.
Trained by Giuseppe Botti in France, he's made a big impression on these shores with wins at Kempton and Chelmsford and it's interesting to see Christophe Soumillon come over for the ride - he's two from two on the horse in France over the past couple of seasons.
I'm a big fan of Island Of Life too in the Fillies' And Mares' race. She has a great attitude and is definitely the one to beat after her Listed second at Wolverhampton. Look out for Clon Coulis in the same race as she could be one to finish late on the outside picking up the pieces.
Kachy will be popular in the Sprint but what he did the last day was seriously impressive on the clock. He was beaten in the race last year but looks better than ever at the age of six and will need to be below his best to have his colours lowered.
Wissahickon looks a proper Group horse for the turf later in the season and while I don't believe Lingfield really plays to his strengths, he should be different class to his rivals in the Easter Classic. It's probably the best field he's faced but he's still on an upward curve himself and he's already got plenty in hand on the figures.
In short, it looks a good day for favourite backers!
Next Off
Most Followed
MOST READ RACING
