Pingshou
6th April 2017 – April – I would prefer to remain a little sceptical regarding the quality of this form for now. Two of the three favourites ran no race and the other looked rather one paced. That said he jumped and travelled well and won with plenty of authority. The stable’s runners were generally below form at Cheltenham but this win augers well for the yard. His performance on the clock in comparison with Rather Be adds further suspicion to the quality of this form. From his first hurdle to the winning line he finished alongside the handicapper who had already run half a mile at that point of Pingshou’s race. Rather Be won off a mark of 136 which would imply that Pingshou won a weak grade one race. I prefer not to be too categorical about these indicators; nonetheless, I will tend to mark this form down until some substance is added to it in future.
What we can also see by comparing his time with that of the three mile winner The Worlds End is that this two mile race was a particularly slowly run affair until Pingshou, relatively speaking, really quickened up in the home straight.
Mount Mews
6th April 2017 – April – He did appear to be a little one paced here. I am not sure how much he went past in the later stages as the other favourite ran flat. This was a very steadily run affair coupled with a burst of speed from the winner up the home straight. I doubt this could have been much less in Mount Mews favour given that his connections were undecided between this race and the two and a half miler. Consequently, I would not wish to be too categorical regarding his need for an extra half mile – maybe he will be fine in a fast run two mile race next season. He will certainly have more suitable days in the future
The Unit
6th April 2017 – April – He stayed on up the home straight with the eventual runner up. He never troubled the winner and I think there is a good chance this might turn out to be form below the highest quality.
High Secret
6th April 2017 – April – He moved through the race particularly well before his run flattened out quickly in the home straight.
River Wylde
6th April 2017 – April – He held his head in an awkward fashion up the home straight. He just appeared to have had enough for the season.
Moon Racer
6th April 2017 – April – This horse has a lot next to his name to forgive now. The trainer has a lot to do to turn this horse around after this second poor effort in a row.
