| Course: NEWMARKET | Race date:17/04/08 | Race time:4:20 | Runners:8 |
| Race distance:1m1f | Going:Good | Winners time:1m 54.11s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Tower | T P Queally | H R A Cecil | 1 | 8-12 | 4 | 0 | 100 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | |
| Traffic Guard | John Egan | Jane Chapple-Hyam | 3 | 8-12 | 4 | 0 | 109 | 14/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | hd |
| Pipedreamer | Jimmy Fortune | J H M Gosden | 6 | 8-12 | 4 | 0 | 110 | 6/4F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | nk |
| Multidimensional | Ted Durcan | H R A Cecil | 7 | 8-12 | 5 | 0 | 111 | 2/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | 2¾ |
| Stotsfold | Adam Kirby | W R Swinburn | 2 | 9-1 | 5 | 0 | 110 | 33/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | 1 |
| Smokey Oakey | Jimmy Quinn | M H Tompkins | 5 | 8-12 | 4 | 0 | 101 | 16/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 6 | 1½ |
| Halicarnassus | T P O´Shea | M R Channon | 8 | 9-1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 7 | hd |
| Kandidate | Ryan Moore | C E Brittain | 4 | 8-12 | 6 | 0 | 110 | 10/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 8 | 1½ |
Phoenix Tower pulled hard, tracked leader over 5f, not clear run over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish
Traffic Guard always prominent, chased leader over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed near finish
Pipedreamer held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, soon every chance, ran on
Multidimensional held up in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, staying on same pace when hampered inside final furlong
Stotsfold slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
Smokey Oakey prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
Halicarnassus held up, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Kandidate led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
PHOENIX TOWER only just got there, but he would have been an unlucky loser, as he was trapped in behind with nowhere to go until Kandidate finally weakened inside the final furlong and left him the room to challenge up the rail. Once he saw daylight he quickened nicely and won with more in hand than the narrow margin suggests.
It is hard to know what the form is worth, especially as there were excuses for both placed horses,but he did well to win at all after nearly a year off following a pelvis problem, especially as this was a big step up in class and he was pretty keen through the early stages. There are no plans for him, but he has yet to be beaten and is not one to underestimate wherever he turns up next.
Traffic Guard had run the race of his life when third in Dubai six weeks previously, and two Newmarket wins last year confirmed how well he goes here. He ran another blinder, especially as it emerged afterwards that he had suffered a bruised foot in the last 48 hours. This was his first start for Jane Chapple-Hyam, who was thrilled with him and hopes he will now get an invitation to the Singapore International Cup.
Pipedreamer looked a Group winner in waiting when impressive in the Cambridgeshire, but although this was run over the same course and distance the much smaller field and the slower ground made it a very different test. He was beaten only narrowly, and it might have been a different story if the pace had been stronger. He looks sure to win at this sort of level before too long, and the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown might well be on the agenda.
Stotsfold seemed to settle pretty well considering how the race was run, and connections are entitled to be satisfied with his fifth place, ahead of Lincoln winner Smokey Oakey, who was up in grade and could have done with softer ground, and Halicarnassus, who had not been at his best in the Dubai Carnival and was again below form.
Kandidate weakened quickly in the final furlong. He looked as good as ever when winning on the Polytrack at Kempton last time, but he has always been a bit quirky and a straight track might not suit him these days, notwithstanding his third here in the 2,000 Guineas. [GD]
Racing results courtesy of racing post. Please note that ever effort is made to ensure results are correct but I accept no liability for mistakes. The data is provided as a free service.
Please visit my Blog or sign up to my racing forum for the latest news and views.
