Horses To Follow » Music Show

Music Show

Given the circumstances, Music Show ran a cracker in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday. Mick Channon’s filly was drawn second widest of all, and despite breaking well she could not get over to the rail and secure a prominent position. She eventually settled on the outside, just worse than mid-division, but Ryan Moore had to pull her back as they approached the bend so that she wouldn’t be too wide around the home turn, and she was second last as they straightened up. She was faced with an arduous task from here, but even so she ran on really well down the outside, which didn’t appear to be an advantage all week, and she finished best of all, just failing to get up for third.

This was a solid performance from Music Show, she must have made up about six lengths on the leader Gile Na Greine from the top of the home straight to the line, and she can be marked up a fair bit on this effort. The form of the race looks solid, with Lillie Langtry and 1000 Guineas third Gile Na Greine finishing first and second, both having raced handily, and the time was half a second faster than standard. Music Show started the season off by winning the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket under a penalty before she led home the far side group in the 1000 Guineas. She probably left it just too late when finishing third in the Irish Guineas, for which she was supplemented, but she remains a top class filly on this evidence. She may be under-rated now after this, the gloss may have gone off her a little, but she is still top class on this evidence. A Group 1 victory is still a realistic target and the Falmouth at Newmarket is a realistic option. She goes particularly well at Newmarket, she was two for two there before the Guineas, and they may put her in at too big a price in the Falmouth.

18th June 2010