Buzz
20th November 2021 – Ascot – He has developed into a remarkably consistent performer. He disappointed at Kempton in February 2020; however, since then he has put in seven excellent performances in a row. In retrospect, perhaps his Kempton performance was simply due to competing round a sharper track over the minimum distance? He is versatile with regards to ground conditions and if he can stay three miles, he must be on the short list for the Stayers Hurdle. Although there is a long way to go yet, at this moment in time British trainers have two strong contenders for that grade one race.
Song For Someone
20th November 2021 – Ascot – He may well have performed as well here as he did when taking a weaker renewal of this contest last year. I am not sure what went wrong with him last season; that said, his problems did appear to be more in his head. On very limited evidence he is yet to achieve anything on the racecourse beyond the third week of February. I think this is something to keep a quiet eye on rather than come to a hard and fast decision on. If he happened to trade at a very short priced on the back of a good run in the middle of February, then this possibility might become more interesting.
Guard Your Dreams
20th November 2021 – Ascot – After looking to be the first horse beaten on the final bend he responded to pressure and stayed on strongly to the line. He maybe well handicapped off his new rating of 147 based on this performance.
He was only beaten two and a quarter lengths by the runner up and I suspect that would have been closer still if his jockey had not chosen to go inside the leading pair on the approach to the final hurdle. This is not a criticism, more an observation, as these are split second decisions for jockeys, and they will have a lot of factors to take on board in any given moment. I don’t think it is purely a coincidence that the two leaders went clear whilst sticking to the outside. Conversely, I doubt Goshen hanging right towards the inside did him any favours in the home straight.
Goshen
20th November 2021 – Ascot – He had his stamina to prove for this trip and was also competing on ground faster than ideal. He hung right in the home straight which was a further negative to his cause. With three significant variables working against him it is difficult to be confident about which one impacted most on his apparently disappointing finish.
Molly Ollys Wishes
20th November 2021 – Ascot – She had it all to do after pulling hard for much of this contest. I will be happy to mark her up on a softer surface when competing against her own sex on another day.
