ASOTR Weekend Review

                                 

(Picture from Sporting Life)

Cracksman Makes Ace Impact in Prix de l'Arc Triomphe.

We've been treated to a plethora of high quality racing this weekend, but where better to start than the coveted Prix de l'Arc Triomphe. Jean Claude-Rouget's three year old son of Cracksman was unbeaten in five starts coming into the contest, shooting to the top of the Arc ante-post market after impressively taking the Prix Du Jockey Club in June. Having had his sole prep race in the Prix Guillame d'Ornano, he had to become the first winner of the Arc since Saumarez in 1990 to have not won over the distance prior to the race. He put any stamina doubts swiftly to bed with an emphatic performance, having settled well in the rear before coming down to outside with a blistering run, finishing well on top at the line under an elated Cristian Demuro. He posted the joint highest RPR (129) in the last decade along with Enable, and was awarded a Timeform rating of 133. Such rare star quality is a luxurious sight to behold for racing fans, but it's dangerous to become attached to these types, as often the breeding world is a more tantalising prospect than another season. Jean Claude-Rouget noted it was unlikely we'll see him again this season, and it's up to the owners whether they'd like him to train on as a four-year old, though given he was un-raced as a two year old, I'd be hopeful that there's plenty under the bonnet of Ace Impact, and he could return for another go at retaining his Arc crown. We should also note just how much of an impact that Frankel has had off the track as well as his racing credentials, as the first three home in the Prix de l'Arc Triomphe were all influenced by Frankel; the grandsire of Ace Impact, and the sire himself of Westover and Onesto who followed the winner home.

Kingman Forecast in Cambridegshire

Greek Order was a heavily backed 5/2 favourite in the historical handicap at Newmarket and was inches away from rewarding punters, before a perfectly timed challenge from Richard Kingscote saw the top-weight Astro King snatch victory by half a length. Astro King was the first to conquer such a feat and it was the highest weight carrying performance in the race since 1990. The angle for Greek Order was that he was the old 'group horse in a handicap' cliche, but it appeared we were all looking at the wrong horse masquerading. Daniel & Clare Kubler picked up the son of Kingman for £36,000 from Sir Michael Stoute in April, and has now amassed over £200,000 in prize money for the team. Stakes contests now beckon for Astro King, and the same will likely be the case for Greek Order as a 10lbs rise from his win last time out clearly underestimates him still. As ever with these big handicaps there was hard luck stories in behind, such as Oviedo in 4th running an excellent race from an unfavourable stall 1 and last years winner Majestic was denied a clear run before staying on well.

Spriteful Sharjah

It's around this time of year that the National Hunt chatter is cranked up a notch and the cobwebs are blown off the form book, but there was nothing ancient about the performance of ten year-old Sharjah on his second start over fences. The Willie Mullins horse has been a gallant performer for connections over the years with six of his twelve wins coming in G1's, and he proved he was still capable of classy form when 4th of top-weight in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. It's rare to see any hurdler going chasing as a ten year-old let alone an individual of this quality, but Sharjah made it 2-2 over fences when taking the G3 O'Dwyer Steel Dundrum Novice Chase by an impressive twelve lengths, jumping with a youthful exuberance about him. It was a joy to see him attacking those fences with a vengeance and look forward to seeing him compete at the top level in these 2m chases.

Four From Four for Vandeek

With Andrea Atzeni off to Hong Kong it was James Doyle's turn in the Vandeek saddle and he was certainly given an enthralling spin. The son of Havana Grey travelled sweetly into the contest in the Middle Park and picked up smartly to win going away, idling slightly in front showing that he's still somewhat of a work in progress. Despite earning quotes of 8/1 for the 2000 Guineas, he looks all a speed and his trainer/jockey don't seem all that keen on him getting the mile next season. He's clearly a very special colt however, and connections wouldn't have anything to lose attempting to step up to a mile next season as you'd imagine if that fails to work out, the Commonwealth Cup will be the aim, such as it was for Perfect Power who won the Middle Park in 2021 before failing to see out the mile in the Guineas.

Princess Returns to Winners' Enclosure in l'Abbaye

The admirable Highfield Princess had started favourite for five of her six races this season prior to the weekend, obliging just once, however she was much more like herself with an excellent performance in the G1 l'Abbaye at Longchamp. Despite her wide draw in 14, Jason Hart delivered the mare with a terrific ride to win going away by a length. She's been a heartwarming success story for connections, having opened on a mark of 57 for her handicap debut in August 2020 and now a 4x G1 winner, she's the mare every owner dreams of. This may have been the last we have seen of her, as she owes no one anything and will likely go on to become hopefully a successful broodmare.