Charlie Farnsbarns

Charlie Farnsbarns ran a fine race in the Festival Stakes at Goodwood on Monday to finish third, just two and a half lengths behind the winner Tranquil Tiger. While endeavouring to make progress up the far rail just outside the two-furlong pole, he was fairly badly hampered by Ordnance Row, which caused Martin Dwyer to have to snatch up and saw Charlie Farnsbarns shuffled back to fifth place and have to begin again. But he recovered his equilibrium and got kick-started again before running on well again to take third spot. Brian Meehan’s horse was trying to concede 3lb and more to all of his rivals, so this was a fair effort even on the face of it. Also, Meehan’s horses are going through a quiet enough spell at the moment.

A shock winner of a Group 3 contest over nine furlongs at Newmarket last August, the son of Cape Cross has been in good form in two runs this season to date. The slow pace was all against him on his debut against the top class pair Tartan Bearer and Pipedreamer at Sandown in April, and he patently didn’t stay the mile-and-a-half trip at Ascot last time, when it looked like he had all of his rivals except the winner Duncan in trouble when he kicked clear at the top of the home straight. He seems to handle all types of ground – remember that he was the one who chased Authorized home in the Racing Post Trophy on heavy ground three years ago – and nine or 10 furlongs appears to be his optimum. He could be worth his place in the line up for the Group 3 Diomed Stakes over eight and a half furlongs at Epsom’s Derby meeting, in which he would be of interest.

25th May 2009