Horses In Focus / Timeform / 27 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform take a close look at a trio of horses for which big things may be on the horizon...

"Prizefighting is open to considerable progression, particularly when stepped up in trip, and looks a smart prospect."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey undoubtedly produced the best juvenile performance of the season when showing an exceptional turn of foot to win the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy, beating the previously unbeaten pair Elusive Pimpernel and Al Zir. Considering the modest early gallop, it was extremely impressive how the son of Montjeu was able to put such distance (three and a half lengths) between his rivals, especially when bearing in the mind the strength of opposition and the fact that Johnny Murtagh never had to fully extend the unbeaten juvenile. Having shown ground versatility already and boasting an impressive middle-distance pedigree, St Nicholas Abbey looks a most exciting three-year-old prospect and a leading contender for the 2010 Classics.

Lightly-raced three-year-old gelding Rainbow Peak maintained his unbeaten record in comfortable fashion when landing a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Newbury on Saturday. After cruising into contention, the son of Hernando readily asserted from Dr Livingtone, bringing up success number three, having been impressive when winning a maiden and classified race on his first two outings. Rainbow Peak remains unexposed, partly due to suffering a hairline fracture of the pelvis after his debut, and therefore should continue progressing and is potentially up to Pattern level.

The John Gosden-trained juvenile Prizefighting made a highly promising winning debut in a maiden at Kempton on Sunday. The son of Smart Strike (Canadian sire) made up considerable ground under hand riding to deny a pair of promising once-raced rivals, who in turn finished well clear of the rest of the opposition. Prizefighting is open to considerable progression, particularly when stepped up in trip, and looks a smart prospect.

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