Run For The Hills

Run For The Hills ran way above his station to finish third in the Listed Rous Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. Settled towards the rear in the early stages by Robert Havlin, John Gosden’s colt made nice progress out in the middle of the track to get in behind the leaders coming out of The Dip. He did hang to his left, not helped by Captain Gerard, but he continued to go forward, and closed all the way to the line to finish a clear third behind Spin Cycle and Noble Storm, and in front of Dandy Man.

Run For The Hills had 17lb to find on the winner on official ratings. Indeed, four of the first five home were rated either 105 or 106 – Run For The Hills was rated 88. Promising when winning his maiden on his third attempt at Newmarket last October, he had been disappointing in his first three starts this season, although fairly highly tried. The break since August seems to have done him good, and his maiden win last year was also after a break of two and a half months. It may be that he is best when he is fresh. Also, his two best performances have been on the two occasions on which he has raced on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course. He will be better stepped back up to six furlongs as well, and he will be of interest on his debut next term, especially if that debut is on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.

1st October 2009