Robin Of Navan

Weak in the market before Newbury’s Arc Trial on Saturday, Robin Of Navan and Ayrad probably went too fast in front. He did get the better of Roger Charlton’s horse early in the home straight, and he travelled well in front, but his early exertions ultimately told, and he was worn down on the run to the furlong pole by Algometer and Dartmouth, both of whom were under pressure early in the home straight. He faded badly from there, he actually finished last of the five runners, but he ran much better than that position suggests.

Harry Dunlop’s horse remains a talented horse, he won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last year, and he ran well on his last run before this at Kempton, his first run back after a break. His trainer said afterwards that this run may have come up too quickly after his last run, and that is legitimate, it was just two weeks after his first run back after a break. He could have bounced. However, it was a better run than the figures suggest. Also, he is entitled to come on for this run, especially given how weak he was in the market, and he will be of interest now wherever he goes next. He goes well from the front, and he goes well on soft ground, so he will be of interest if he runs again on soft ground now in the autumn.

17^th September 2016