Handicappers' Corner: Kingman reigns in easy Solario win

The Solario rarely attracts a smaller field than the four that went to post for Saturday's renewal, but the presence of 2000 ante-post favourite Kingman meant few renewals have been as eagerly anticipated. John Gosden's colt didn't let his supporters down, heavily backed into 7/2-on and ultimately maintaining his unbeaten record with something to spare.

Rated 106P on the back of his impressive Newmarket maiden success, in defeating the Godolphin pair Emirates Flyer and Music Theory by two lengths and a neck on Saturday he improved his rating to 112P, the highest allotted to the winner of the Solario since 1990 if you exclude Raven's Pass, a wide-margin winner for the same yard in 2007. 

A rating of 112P was straightforward to arrive at but is by no means a maximum figure according to race standards, which give a range of 103-114 on the last five renewals. For ratings purposes, Kingman has been treated as a four-length winner, value for that margin before he was allowed to idle. Taking account of this raises the range of the standard by 3 lb. 

To go any higher than 112P would have required crediting the runner-up and third with improvement, which given that they are still developing two-year-olds is certainly possible, but bearing in mind that they had the run of things more than the winner, racing towards the head of affairs in a steadily-run race, a conservative view of their efforts have been taken for now.

Kingman's form is still some way behind the best of the two-year-old colts at the moment, but it needs to be pointed out that the three highest-rated (Sudirman 121p, War Command 120 and No Nay Never 118p) have all had the opportunity to showcase their ability in Group 1 company, and the likelihood is that Kingman will show very smart form when the opportunity presents itself, most likely in either the Dewhurst or Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere next.

There was Group 1 action at the Curragh this Sunday with the two-year-old fillies taking part in what looked a strong Moyglare with the winners of the Queen Mary (Rizeena) and Albany (Kiyoshi) at Royal Ascot taking on the well-regarded Aidan O'Brien-trained Tapestry.

The 'big' three duly dominated, with Rizeena getting back to winning ways after her defeats in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and Prix Morny, but the result is a little unsatisfactory, and on another day, it would come as no surprise to see a different finishing order. 

Rizeena possibly benefited from challenging later than either Kiyoshi or Tapestry and she certainly benefited from getting a clear run down the outside as Kiyoshi again hung right under pressure and hampered Tapestry, the stewards deciding to place Tapestry ahead of the wayward runner-up.

The Moyglare is still a race to view positively, and Rizeena has been awarded a figure of 112, slightly higher than the range suggested by historical standards (104-111) and on a par with what Sky Lantern was rated for winning the race last year. 

Tapestry and Kiyoshi remain on their pre-race ratings of 112p and 111p, and both could still make the breakthrough at the highest level, though perhaps at different trips, Tapestry shaping far more as if a step up to a mile will suit her, while Kiyoshi could yet aim for the Cheveley Park.

The other pattern race for juveniles on the Curragh card was the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes won by Great White Eagle. Rather like Kingman, his reputation has gone before him on the back of a maiden win and he rather overcame the run of things to maintain his unbeaten record, caught wide but still quickening up to win in ready fashion by two lengths from Remember You. 

A new rating of 110p suggests Great White Eagle will hold his own in even better company, and with the stable already having War Command for the National Stakes/Dewhurst route, the Middle Park looks an obvious target for him.

Elsewhere, Sunday also saw the return of King George winner Novellist, the joint-highest rated older horse in Europe on 132, in the Grosser Preis von Baden as he is prepared for the Arc de Triomphe. He looked to face a straightforward task and didn't need to be anywhere near his best, running to 121+ to comfortably beat Seismos by three-quarters of a length. 

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