Covert Ambition

Covert Ambition ran a really nice race to finish second to his much better-fancied stable companion Kirklees in a decent listed race run over 10 furlongs at Sandown on Friday. Held up well out the back by Dane O’Neill in the early stages, he came under pressure before the home turn, but he stayed on really well to just deprive Tranquil Tiger of second place. He had no chance with the winner, but Kirklees is a really useful animal, and Covert Ambition had proven listed and Group 3 class performers like Tranquil Tiger, Confront and Halicarnasus behind him.

It is probable that there is much more to come from the son of Singspiel. Although he is four, he has run just three times in his life. He won a three-year-old maiden last October really impressively, and he ran out a nice winner of a handicap at Kempton from stall one off a mark of 94 on his debut this season. He was raised to a mark of 103 after that run, but he was still taking on horses on Friday who were rated significantly his superior – Kirklees was rated 116, Tranquil Tiger 114, Confront 110. Covert Ambition’s new mark of 109 could still seriously under-estimate his ability. He has a hugely progressive profile, and his sire’s progeny usually improve with time and with racing. His entry in the Juddmonte International gives an indication of the regard in which he is held at home and, while that may be flying a little high, he should be well up to winning at Group 3 or even Group 2 level. And if he happened to take his chance in a handicap, like the 10-furlong heritage handicap at Glorious Goodwood at the end of July, he would be of huge interest off 109. He is out of Super Tassa, who won a Yorkshire Oaks, and he stayed on well at the end of this 10-furlong trip, so he could even improve for stepping up in distance. He is an exciting prospect.

3rd July 2009