Ongoodform

Ongoodform produced a nice effort to finish third in a three-year-old seven-furlong handicap at Sandown on Saturday. Paul D’Arcy’s colt chased the early pace set by Gumd, who was lit up in first-time blinkers and set a fairly brisk pace. He travelled well into the straight and took it up still going nicely two furlongs out, he was passed by Rakaan and Bohemian Melody – both of whom had been ridden more patiently – inside the final furlong but he stuck to his task well to retain third place.

This was a pleasing effort given the way the race was run. The front three finished clear of the rest, and there was a lot to like about the ease of which the son of Invincible Spirit travelled in behind the fast pace and the manner in which he picked up to pass the leader two furlongs out. He did get tired late on, which was understandable given that he chased a fast pace, and he could perhaps benefit from dropping down in trip to six furlongs, he looks as though he has the pace for that. His three highest Racing Post Ratings came over that distance last season, and he has generally always run well over that trip. So far this year, mainly racing over seven furlongs, he hasn’t shown the level of form he showed last year, but this was more promising and he will be interesting next time, especially if dropping down in trip.

12th June 2010