Black Corton
27th April 2019 – Sandown – The fast gallop over this trip really played to his strengths here and may have worked against what was, according to the market, his greatest rival. He jumped really fluently and the issue was not in doubt well before the turn for home. His main market rival jumped slowly two fences before the water jump at the same time he put in a very quick lead to join the leader. He has finished second in each of his previous four completed starts; however there is clearly nothing wrong with his attitude and he is probably simply a victim of being so highly tried recently. On this day he was far too good for his rivals who, it has to be said, are generally high class handicappers ( the second, third and fourth certainly are) – the sixth horse to finish, Charbel, could never get to the front and he might down tools quite quickly when things do not go right for him.
Gold Present
27th April 2019 – Sandown – He was out of his depth next to the impressive winner but can be competitive next season in a good three mile handicap chase on decent ground. The one at Ascot in early November or the Silver Cup at the same course just before Xmas would be ideal targets.
San Benedeto
27th April 2019 – Sandown – He is a most consistent chaser and was simply not good enough to trouble his stable companion here. He will no doubt continue to pick up plenty of prize money next season.
Charbel
27th April 2019 – Sandown – He could not get to the front off this fast pace which may have not been a big problem in itself. Unfortunately he was very slow over a fence half way down the back and I just don’t think he has the resolve to fight his way back when something goes wrong. To be fair it was difficult for him from that point as he had to be ridden to close back up whilst competing over a trip arguably beyond his best. I would question his stamina for this trip and, on the other hand, today might not be the day to judge him given how much went against him. I suspect he would not be far off staying this distance in a small field if allowed to dictate his own pace.
Go Conquer
27th April 2019 – Sandown – He was eventually pulled up and it might be worth noting that the NTD yard is not in the best of form at the moment.
