Handicappers' Corner: Masked Marvel relishes stamina test

Handicappers' Corner / David Johnson / 12 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Masked Marvel team celebrate success in the St Leger

"With Blue Bunting not herself, and Sea Moon getting a troubled run, it’s possible to pick holes in the form, but there’s no doubting Masked Marvel improved for an increased test of stamina."

A top weekend of action all around Europe, Doncaster bringing down the curtain on the 2011 Classics. But it was very much a case of focusing on the future at the Curragh, where there was some interesting juvenile action, and Longchamp, which hosted the Arc Trials on Sunday. David Johnson rounds up the assessments of Timeform's team of handicappers...

John Gosden has made a habit of winning the St Leger and Masked Marvel gave him his third win in the last five renewals (fourth in all) when defeating Brown Panther by three lengths. With Blue Bunting not herself, and Sea Moon getting a troubled run, it's possible to pick holes in the form, but there's no doubting Masked Marvel improved for an increased test of stamina.

With Buthelezi setting an unrelenting gallop, and the race producing a course-record time, it's still hard to escape the conclusion that the race was an above-average renewal. Race standards give a range of 121-124 for Masked Marvel's performance, prior ratings standards suggest 128, and Masked Marvel has been credited with an in-between figure of 126.

Brown Panther produced a career-best of 121 to hold off the unlucky Sea Moon for third, reversing Geoffrey Freer form with the below-par fifth Census, while Seville ran to just 118 in fourth, again below the 122 figure he was awarded when runner-up in the Irish Derby.

Masked Marvel wasn't the only three-year-old to relish an increased stamina test on Town Moor in the last week, as Saddler's Rock did just that when taking the Doncaster Cup on Friday. Race standards gave a range of 118-124 for Saddler's Rock, but he's been credited with a more positive 125 figure. He's exactly the type of horse the staying scene has been crying out for and will be a leading contender for Cup races next year.

Saddler's Rock looks a stronger threat to Fame And Glory's Gold Cup crown than the three horses that defeated the latter in the Irish St Leger. With Fame And Glory obviously below par, the Irish St Leger didn't take the winning it might have and there seems little reason to have dead-heaters Duncan and Jukebox Jury improving their pre-race ratings of 121. Red Cadeaux gets 120 for finishing third, and his Curragh Cup win has been upgraded to the same rating, but neither effort convinces as being the most solid.

The other Group 1 action at the Curragh saw Power just hold off Dragon Pulse in the National Stakes. The standard of that race has varied in recent years, with Power's new figure of 115 pretty much an average. It also leaves him still some pounds behind the very best juveniles.

Perhaps the most interesting two-year-old in action that afternoon at the Curragh was Born To Sea, the final foal of Urban Sea, and he did all that could be asked of him in winning a listed race on his debut. The form is a long way off the top of his age-group so far, but he has abundant potential and has been awarded a rating of 105P (the large P denoting the likelihood of well-above-average progress).

Other notable juvenile performances from the last week came from Lyric of Light (108p) and Fallen For You (107p), who occupied the first two places in the May Hill. Trumpet Major has been raised to 111 for winning the Champagne, whilst Ektihaam (110p) and Bronterre (112p) both put up performances to suggest they are worth their places in pattern company before the end of the year.

Over in France, Sarafina cemented her position at the head of the Arc betting with a success in the Prix Foy. In form terms, she wasn't required to be at her best, running to 120, but a bigger field and stronger pace could see her running to even higher than her pre-race 126 rating.

The fillies could have a strong hand in the Arc this year and Galikova looks like providing ample back-up. She gained her first Group 1 success in the Vermeille and earns a rating of 123p. The Niel left the impression that the French-trained three-year-old colts so far are much of a muchness. Reliable Man reversed Grand Prix de Paris form with Meandre and is now rated 124, 1 lb ahead of that rival.

For the first time, the Moulin was added to this card, and Excelebration gained an overdue first success at the top level. He needed to run to only 126 to hold off Sussex Stakes third and fourth, Rio De La Plata and Rajsaman.