Weekend Horse Racing Review

There were plenty of notable performances to look back over from last week courtesy of two big meetings at Galway and Goodwood, and where Intrinsic made most headlines in winning Saturday’s Stewards’ Cup.

It was a performance that made this progressive 4yo of massive interest for the future, especially with jockey, Richard Hughes, stating he was a Group horse.

If that proves the case, then his next assignment in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock in September could be within his compass, and a glance back down the years shows similar improving Stewards’ Cup winners, Patavellian and Pivotal Point, both won Group races next time out. At odds of 16/1, Intrinsic has to be of interest.

On the subject of Group sprints, Take Cover won the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood on Friday – in the process recording a much improved career best. This 7yo has now won his last two races, both over 5f on fast ground, boding well for a possible tilt at the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in a few weeks’ times.

Considering he showed blistering pace in both his last two victories, including over the Nunthorpe C&D, he has to be a lively candidate at tempting odds of 14/1.

Also enhancing their reputation further at Goodwood was Richard Hannon’s, Ivawood, who made it 3-3 in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and could be put away for an autumn campaign, where races like the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket have been nominated.

Looking further ahead, there is plenty of stamina in Ivawood’s breeding (his dam was a 1m2f-1m4f winner), making his 2,000 Guineas odds of 8/1 of real interest

, as they could be slashed should he win his next race.

Aidan O’Brien also saw Classic potential via his Highland Reel, who won the Group 2 Vintage Stakes over 7f. While he looks to be a contender for the 2,000 Guineas at 12/1, he could be even more interesting for the Derby (10/1), as this son of Galileo has stamina on both his sire and dam’s side.

Those with good memories may recall that Sir Percy also won the Vintage Stakes before Epsom glory the following year.

Elsewhere at Goodwood, Kingman won the Group 1 Sussex Stakes and is likely to be odds-on for his next outing in the Group QEII Stakes at Ascot in September, though at much bigger odds is Sir Michael Stoute’s, Snow Sky, who won the Group 3 Gordon Stakes on Wednesday – a race that often points up the St Leger winner.

This 3yo is clearly progressing having landed two of his last three races (won just one of his previous five), and having also won on soft ground, he is one to bear in mind for the final Classic at odds of 12/1 – for the record, four of the last seven St Leger winners emerged from the Gordon Stakes.

Over jumps, Thomas Edison won the competitive Galway Hurdle for the shrewd, Tony Martin, who may now be planning an assault on the Cesarewitch, but one not so lucky last week was Belgian Bill, who was again denied a clear path and could find compensation via York’s big mile handicap in a few weeks’ time.