I’M hoping someone read last week’s notebook and pencilled the unraced Illuminate into their tipping tomes. The Zoffany filly made a winning debut at Salisbury today at an SP of 8-1 despite being the supposed second string of Richard Hannon. Given a confident ride by Cam Hardie, she showed a decent turn of foot and may well be a Queen Mary filly. Genres almost made it a double on his racecourse debut for this column but was headed in the final strides by odds-on favourite Exosphere, who was given the Ryan Moore treatment at Lingfield. Genres looks a very useful prospect. Here are this week’s horses to follow from the past seven days…
CLOUD SEVEN won a class 5 handicap off a mark of 68 with ridiculous ease at Kempton. Chris Wall’s New Approach colt actually dwelt from a wide draw and showed good toe to get an early pitch. He then took control a furlong out and showed an impressive change of gear. Not sure what the handicapper will make of it but he could be interesting to follow.
MISS KATIE MAE: Ger Lyons had kind words about this filly before her Naas debut and after a tardy start she ran on nicely. She was well backed and I suspect she is better than her finishing position of fifth.
LORD REASON: John Ryan’s colt stepped up markedly on his debut in the Wood Ditton by coming second in a Nottingham maiden. He was keen enough but travelled noticeably well once he settled and was going on best at the finish. Sure to win races.
SPERRY: There were a few impressive performances on last Wednesday’s Ascot card but none more so than the imposing filly Sperry. A long-striding daughter of Shamardal, she took a while to warm up but eventually won with a bit in hand and holds an entry in the Coronation Stakes. It will be interesting to see where Godolphin and John Gosden aim her.
Striding out: Sperry wins at Ascot from Touchline Picture: Michael Stevens
COPACOBANA: Tim Easterby’s juvenile chased home a pair of speedy types in what looked a useful two-year-old race at Musselburgh. Copacobana took a while for the penny to drop but she finished the race off well and pulled clear of the fourth.
BILLY CONGO: Adrian Wintle’s eight-year-old has won two on the bounce and had plenty in hand winning at Bangor. He is in sparkling form and might be able to complete a hat trick on his favoured spring ground. He has an entry at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.
JAADU: I suspect plenty of winners will come out of the juvenile race at Newmarket on 1,000 Guineas day. Among those who caught the eye were the strong travelling Jaadu who was not knocked around after being hampered leaving the stalls. He should come on for the run and should be interesting next time out.
