Film Score

Film Score ran a cracker for one so inexperienced in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday. Held up in midfield by Frankie Dettori, the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained gelding travelled well into the straight in mid-division, but it just took him a little while to pick up coming down the centre of the track, probably due to his lack of experience. When he did pick up, he ran on really well and eventually got the better of Fencing Master for fourth spot.

The son of Street Cry was mentioned as a horse to follow after he comfortably beat the 106-rated Mata Keranjang on his racecourse debut on his previous run and, while he didn’t win, this was another step forward from the Godolphin horse. This looked like a really good renewal of the Hampton Court, with a host of progressive three-year-olds lining up. They did not go as fast as you may have expected, however, and it proved hard for those held up to get into the race. The front two, Afsare and Quadrille, were in the top five throughout and were well placed on the inside entering the home straight. In contrast, Film Score had to come down the centre again, as he did on his debut. This run should bring him on again and he can only get better at this stage of his career. He is potentially very good, and he should be able to win again this season.

17th June 2010