Each year as soon as the Arc weekend is over the flat season begins a rapid wind down towards the remaining highlights at Newmarket and Ascot and preparation for the following season.
The change of gear includes a clear out of mainly geldings at the Autumn Sales. It is also time for many of the slow developing 2yo’s to make their way onto the track. Most trainers will be looking for some cut in the ground and the forecast rain during the middle of this week and into next week is much needed.
There was a very downbeat feel to the action on Monday at both Yarmouth and Kempton with the Somerville Lodge horses all big drifters and generally running ok without threatening to win , although Venetian Lion finished 4th in the last at Yarmouth to suggest a drop down to Class 5 company could see her secure a first win. Magic Box improved to be 3rd also at a big price at Kempton, but still looks poorly handicapped. The fact both 3yo ‘s ran well augured well for the chances of our only bet Caraway who despite being available at 10.00 on the exchanges and 7/1 60 seconds before the off attracted late support into 5/1 and bolted in coming from last to first.
The 2yo’s were all backward on their debuts and the 3yo Evening Call ran poorly again.
I expect the current malaise to continue through Tuesday and Wednesday with the entries offering very little in the way of encouragement from a punting perspective. After the 7 runners on Monday there are just 3 declared on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday in the 6.00 7f handicap at Southwell another Lordship Stud owned filly Encore is 9/4 to follow up her Kempton win. That was a very weak race and I would much rather lay her than back her as I thought her attitude was highly questionable. The Sir Mark Prescott trained Korbut already proven over course and distance looks really good value at the early 4/1.
Earlier in the day Desert Treasure is 12/1 in the 3.51 the Class 4 5f handicap at Leicester. She has failed to win dropped to Class 5 grade and the step up to this class 4 contest looks a tough task before her planned trip to the Tattersalls Autumn Sales. Her run at Beverley can be written off but I have a feeling a Class 5 win back on the AW maybe what is needed before the sale at the end of the month.
Finally the one runner on Wednesday is the unraced 2yo colt Top Scholar in the 2.41 at Nottingham. Owned by the King and Queen he is beautifully bred Frankel colt out of the now sadly deceased Diploma who has already produced his full brother Warrant Holder, and 3 other 90+ rated winners.
Most of the family are not at their best until they are 3yo’s and he is one for the note book in 2027.
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