The first runner on Friday Bulletsnap in the 6f Nursery at Doncaster looks to be by far the most likely Somerville Lodge winner of the weekend.
The 2yo was originally purchased by the Stauffenberg racing operation probably to give them a runner at Royal Ascot. He held an entry in the Coventry Stakes until the final declarations.
In a pre Royal Ascot preview William Haggas mentioned the horse but commented that he wouldn’t run due to the ground being ‘unsuitable.’
He had debuted just days before the Royal meeting running with a great deal of promise at Goodwood on going described by Timeform as Soft.
With the Ascot run not possible he was sold to one of Somerville Lodge’s key patron’s Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum and much was expected of the son of Minzaal when he ran for the first time for his new owner in a small field quality maiden at Doncaster. He ran well but didn’t stay 7f behind the now 105 rated Quest for Stars beaten just under a length.
Given another six weeks to strengthen he then went to Windsor where he was thought to be a steering job but come up against the 90 rated Crown and Two. Bulletsnap was never going well and finished a disappointing 4th. It was at this time when the Somerville Lodge juveniles were very in and out and a line can be put through that run.
He did break his duck at Ripon just under 4 weeks later in no uncertain manner on good ground beating Scenic Route by over 6l, making all the running in eye catching style. The handicapper put him up 9lb for the victory to a mark of 87, but through the runner up still looks well handicapped. Scenic Route on the run before had been third behind Bulletsnap’s stable mate Mezzo Forte, now rated 97. the runner up Bayraktor beat the 96 rated Arthurian on his next start and the only other two in the first 6 to have run have both been impressive winners of their next starts.
The race has cut up which has meant Bulletsnap is now an even money chance. Too short for my betting interests but he should make all and win with a bit in hand. The ground should be another plus point as his family on the dam’s side excelled in Soft conditions.
The Irish based breeding operation that bred him specialize in sprinters and their recent success stories include Flora of Bermuda. The son of Minzaal could be a sprinter to follow in 2027.
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