Features / Timeform / 29 March 2010 / Leave a comment

Timeform share their Perspective entries on the first big handicap of the Flat season...

"PENITENT landed a hefty gamble on his return from a five-month absence in the manner of one who can go on and make his mark in listed if not pattern company"

A typically competitive-looking renewal of the first major prize of the Flat turf season proved anything but, only a handful having any chance from 2f out, but the standards were upheld through the winner, who looked much better than a handicapper in landing a big gamble (was available at 8/1 in the ante-post betting), the pair that chased him home giving his effort substance too as lightly-raced and progressive types. Though the draw had litttle effect, the field racing largely centre-to-far side, a prominent position was an advantage, nothing landing a blow from off the pace.

PENITENT landed a hefty gamble on his return from a five-month absence in the manner of one who can go on and make his mark in listed if not pattern company, impressing with the way he travelled on the heels of the leaders and far from fully extended to clear away after bursting through over one furlong out. Expertly handled so far by his shrewd trainer (who was winning this race for the third time), he's still unexposed having not raced at two years and run only five times as a three-year-old, so it's not hard to envisage him improving more still.

PRIME EXHIBIT confirmed all the positive impressions of his reappearance, unlucky to come up against one so far ahead of his mark but himself beating the rest decisively, having taken up the running three furlongs out until collared by the winner. He left the impression he's just starting to improve for his new yard, so he's bound to go one better in upcoming handicaps, including if dropped back to seven furlongs, as it was noticeable how he still pulled here through the early stages.

MULL OF KILLOUGH couldn't get anywhere near the first two, but it's worth noting that they were ridden much handier and it was some effort by Mull of Killough to get as close as he did, shaping well with other handicaps in mind, especially as he's still far from exposed after just seven runs. While his progress last year came on going firmer than good, he's as effective with give in the ground (winner on good to soft) and, though likely to be suited by ten furlongs in time, there's no need to step him up just yet.

SMOKEY OAKEY has been difficult to catch right since winning this two years earlier but, from just 2 lb higher, he took a step back in the right direction, shaping as if retaining more ability than he could show, having got caught too far back and met trouble. A Group 3 winner in his prime, he's not that class now but will be competitive in other big handicaps, soft-ground permitting.

EXTRATERRESTRIAL was 8 lb higher than when runner-up in the Spring Mile last year and typically gave his all, but this highlights the task he faces at the level he's now going to be forced to operate at, mixing it with the first two with two furlongs to go but weakening.

MIA'S BOY was only a pound higher than when runner-up in a big-field handicap over course and distance last backend (on similar ground) and arrived on the back of a good effort in listed company, and though clearly not in quite the same form, he was far from disgraced, just unable to pick up.

ALBAQAA shaped better than the bare result, the promise of his reappearance what he should be remembered for when assessing his chance in other handicaps, potentially better than ever but caught too far back to show as much here, racing in rear after a slowish start and making headway to the line, if all too gradually.

VIVA VETTORI had looked markedly improved when winning a listed race last time, but the stable was in red-hot form at that time (still going okay but haven't had a winner since) and he's potentially flattered, a long way off matching that effort here, albeit on ground softer than he had faced before.

HARRISON GEORGE failed to prove his stamina for the trip, racing prominently and weakening, but the run should have done him good having been off since October (gelded during the winter); a reliable sort, he's effective at six/seven furlongs and acts on polytrack, heavy and good to firm ground.

ISHETOO was held up and never threatened to take a hand reappearing for a new stable, but he's easily forgiven on account of an unsuitable trip (raced freely) and is well worth another chance to show what he can do when back at five/six furlongs, still capable of going close in useful sprint handicaps last year.

HUZZAH was 5 lb lower than when fifth in this in 2009 but effectively lost his chance with an awkward start, poorly positioned as a result and never able to recover. He was banging on the door last year in good handicaps and, gelded since, is worth another chance.

VITZNAU couldn't build on his Wolverhampton Lincoln Trial win (had Albaqaa and Extraterrestrial behind), which wasn't a total surprise, as there had been a feeling that this race wouldn't suit so much, and having been held up, he never looked like taking a hand, that he briefly met trouble making no difference.

REVE DE NUIT perhaps isn't so good on turf as all-weather, at least on soft ground (raced mainly on good in France), under pressure by halfway, though he looks to have a stiff mark for handicaps in any case.

TIGER REIGNS progressed well last year, winning five times (on ground ranging from soft to good to firm), so it's probably best not to dwell on this disappointing reappearance effort for too long, shaping as if he possibly needed it.

FULL TOSS is better over further, and probably on firmer ground, so this is best excused.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE went on a remarkable run last backend, winning six of his last seven starts, but his mark is now 26 lb higher than for the first of those and it could be that he'll struggle this time around with the company he'll now be forced to keep, acknowledging this isn't the best guide to him, weakening as if the run was needed.

ADVANCED will be of more interest when dropped back in trip on the evidence of two runs back this year, showing all his speed here but clearly getting tired, the soft ground exaggerating things.

KAOLAK showed all his speed, cutting out the early running, but he seems not to handle ground this soft.

DUBAI'S TOUCH shaped as if badly in need of the run, but remembering his record from last year, when giving his running only once from six outings, he's no banker to build on this first run since August.

LANG SHINING promised little with this reappearance for a new stable (had left Sir Michael Stoute for 20,000 gns and been gelded), in trouble soon after halfway.

MISTER HARDY made a winning reappearance at this meeting last year but just wasn't in the same form this time around (has been gelded), not beaten by the new trip.

Sent in loose-leaf parts throughout the season, Timeform Perspective builds up into an in-depth account of the racing year.