Handicappers' Corner: Gosden hits the mark with Gregorian

Newbury's Group 2 Hungerford Stakes has produced the occasional top-class performance in recent years, with both Paco Boy and Excelebration among the winners, but the 2013 renewal was rather closer to standard for all that the winner, Gregorian, has gone close at Group 1 level this season.
 
The pre-race hype surrounded Mike de Kock's then unbeaten Soft Falling Rain, who had impressed with success in Dubai over the winter, and he ran right up to his best performance figure of 121 in finishing a one-and-a-half-length second to John Gosden's charge. The four-year-old looked in fine shaped beforehand but is entitled to be sharper with the outing behind him and he may yet do better still, with entries in both the Group 1 Sprint Cup and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes suggesting that connections think as much. 

A sprinter in terms of physique it is difficult to say on this evidence whether up or down in trip would suit Soft Falling Rain better, but at this stage it is worth noting that his form is not yet on a par with his reputation.

Gregorian made the most of a good opportunity away from Group 1 company to register his second win of the season, but that is not to say that the four-year-old didn't run right up to his best and he is building a solid record this term. Awarded a rating of 123, Gregorian holds several engagements at this level in the coming weeks and he is most likely to continue to perform with credit. 

It was a rather disappointing turn out for the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes, not in terms of numbers but quality as very few boasted a level of form quite good enough to win an average renewal. Royal Empire, who was stepping up in grade, therefore didn't have to improve upon the pick of his form to run out a fairly ready winner and is now credited with a master rating of 118. He remains unexposed at middle distances and is reportedly being geared up for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup, where he would certainly be in with a chance as he could pull out more as his stamina is tested. 

It generally takes a useful effort to land the listed Washington Singer Stakes, though until Just The Judge beat Excess Knowledge 12 months ago the race hadn't, of late at least, been much of a pointer to anything above Group 3 level. There is a chance that this could prove to be another significant running, with Somewhat (114p) showing form better than required to land most recent renewal and the runner-up Be Ready (98p) shaping with abundant promise on debut. 

Charlie Hills' Glen Moss turned what looked a well-contested handicap on paper into something of a procession, finally combining the ingredients that he has long since possessed to produce a very useful performance. Now rated 107, the four-year-old really is flourishing and it may just be that connections have their eyes on a grander prize before the season is out. 

Ripon's Great St Wilfrid is a race in the premier band of sprint handicaps but this was a slightly odd affair, as so few of the field managed to get competitive with the stands side group fighting a losing battle fully two furlongs from home. Richard Fahey's Baccarat (110+) took his form to a new level in winning this contest and, though there was an element of him being in the right place at the right time, he is full value for his effort and has to be high on the shortlist for the Ayr Gold Cup, with the promise of him being better still by the time that race comes around. 

Kassiano, who was highly progressive at Meydan over the winter, set himself up for a return to pattern company when beating the likes of Trade Commissioner and Viewpoint in a minor event at Newmarket. It's fairly simple form to assess with the winner, now rated 116p, purely too good for his rivals despite conceding upwards of 3 lb to each; he remains open to further improvement and looks one to keep on side. 

Brief mentions must go to both Dandino and Dank, who were successful at Arlington on Saturday night. The first mentioned didn't need to improve to land the American St Leger but Dank, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, took her form to a new level when winning the Grade 1 Beverley D Stakes and is now rated 123. 

Two races of note took place over six furlongs on Sunday, one a listed event at Pontefract and one the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville. The right horse came to the fore in the aforementioned affair and Artistic Jewel (113), proven as a smart performer, returned to form and bettered her third in the corresponding race 12 months before. 

No Nay Never has been creatively campaigned to date to say the least, winning three races in three different countries and improving with each outing. Rated 118p on the back of his Prix Morny success, it will be fascinating to see just how far this strapping colt can go. 

Have you checked out our new, improved Facebook page? It's the place to go for our features & tips!