Weekend Review: Another Triple Crown bid goes awry

High Jinx, a Timeform Horse To Follow, was the winner of the big handicap of the afternoon at Newmarket on Saturday, getting up in the closing stages to deny a gallant Anatolian, who had travelled well under Frankie Dettori for much of the way. High Jinx travelled well himself, with the return to a mile and a half proving very much in his favour, and there is every chance he may improve even further if upped in trip to a mile and three quarters, the Ebor Handicap a potential target. Connections are also said to be considering a tilt at the Northumberland Plate and he is sure to remain of interest whatever route is decided.

Mirza was the winner of the six-furlong handicap, defeating Es Que Love by three quarters of a length with Medicean Man back in third. Mirza produced a smart performance on Saturday, his victory rated a career-best by Timeform, and only the top sprint handicaps can now be considered with a rise in the weights sure to follow. Mirza doesn't look particularly well treated under a 5 lb penalty in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and he will need to improve to win more races.

The other two main handicaps on the card went the way of John Louis and Fast or Free, the former landing the ten-furlong contest by two and a quarter lengths, whilst the latter was victorious in a mile race for three-year-olds only on just his third career start. John Louis has a solid profile and looks to be going to right way, for all he did have to run of the race to a certain extent having made the running. Fast or Free was also well positioned in his race as things panned out but he looks most progressive, likely to make a bold bid of landing a hat-trick wherever he goes next.

The feature race at Doncaster was won by John Gosden's Starboard, who took the ten-furlong minor event with what looked to be a bit in hand. Starboard is the type to do better when upped in grade and his progression won't have come to an end just yet given Saturday marked just his fourth start. His connections and pedigree are two positives for this three-year-old who should win more races as the season develops.

The handicap feature at Doncaster was won by Tariq Too, who denied the unlucky Scarf by a neck in the narrowest of finishes. Tariq Too travelled well in midfield under Harry Bentley and he quickened well two from the finish before digging deep under pressure to land the spoils. Tariq Too is a likeable type who should continue to give a good account in the future with his better form all having come under conditions on the soft side.

The John Halewood Memorial Handicap was the most valuable race at Chester this weekend and the contest itself was won my Licence to Till, who made all and demonstrated a gutsy attitude to keep on going when driven out inside the final furlong. He is unlikely to have conditions so favourable next time, however, and he could prove vulnerable when reassessed.

The other feature from Chester, the Willow Water Handicap, went the way of Imperial Djay, who was landing back-to-back victories at a track he clearly enjoys. An increase is likely to leave him on a all-time high BHA rating but he should remain of interest in the future, looking better than ever this season.

British Flat racing on Saturday was completed with action at both Newcastle and Windsor, whilst there was jumps action from Hexham and Worcester. Over in Ireland, Navan hosted a seven-race Flat card that mainly consisted of maiden and handicap races.

The Belmont Stakes, about which more can be read HERE, was the racing highlight in North America this weekend and the late defection of I'll Have Another denied the US public the chance to see Doug O'Neill's three-year-old become only the twelfth winner of the US Triple Crown. Instead, the race went the way of Union Rags, who denied Paynter by a narrow margin to snatch the victory. Incidentally, the Timeform figure of 124 for the winning performance was some 6 lb below the level reached by I'll Have Another in the Preakness Stakes.

Perth and Worcester were the two venues for National Hunt racing on Sunday, with the former hosting the stronger of the two cards, with the Perth Gold Cup the undisputed highlight. The race was won by Mumbles Head, who travelled and jumped with zest, the 11-year-old now unbeaten in his last three starts. Mumbles Head remains relatively lightly-raced for his age and there could be more to come from the veteran who seems to maintain all of his enthusiasm for racing.

There was a listed race over at the Curragh, with the ten-furlong Silver Stakes won by Sharestan for John Oxx. Sharestan remains lightly-raced, having had just the six starts so far, and he remains open to further improvement, now likely to be worth his place in Pattern company. He made hard work of the victory on Sunday, however, but the ground wasn't ideal and he remains one to keep onside.

Over in France, the Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil was won by Thousand Stars for the second year in a row. Willie Mullins' grey was held up in midfield in the early stages with the pace set by the leader no more than moderate. Ruby Walsh was always looking confident aboard the eight-year-old who had too much pace for his rivals inside the closing stages, going on to win by four lengths. Nikita du Berlais finished second for the home team, with Formosa Joana Has back in third. Thousand Stars is almost certain to come back fighting once again next season, with the Champion Hurdle or World Hurdle in the offing come Cheltenham Festival time.