Blue Jack

Blue Jack put up a really impressive performance to win the Class 3 five-furlong handicap at Newbury on Friday. Settled out the back in the early stages by Richard Kingscote, as Jargelle and Judge ‘N Jury went at each other up front so hard that habitual front-runner Tamagin couldn’t get to lead, Blue Jack improved nicely through the middle section of the race, travelled best of all at the two-furlong marker, took it up off Judge ‘N Jury just inside the furlong pole, and came right away to win by an impressive three lengths.

There is no question that the furious early pace played into Blue Jack’s hands. He does tend to pull hard in his races – hence the cross noseband – and the really fast pace made it difficult for the front-runners, and favoured the closers. That said, the son of Cadeaux Genereux had the early pace to remain well in touch, unlike fellow closer Fullandby, who was hopelessly outpaced, and he had the turn of foot to pick up the leaders and go clear.

This was an impressive performance in a race that was run in a really good time, 0.30secs and 0.06secs/furlong faster than standard. Progressive during the middle part of last season when he was trained by William Muir, winner of good handicaps at Glorious Goodwood and at Sandown at the height of the summer, he had been disappointing on his last two runs last season, in a big sprint handicap at Haydock in September and in the Ayr Gold Cup. This was his first run for Tom Dascombe, and it was a career-best by some way. He wore blinkers last season, but they were left off on Friday, and he seemed to appreciate that. He obviously thrives off the fast pace that he had here, he probably needs it in order that he can settle behind it, but he will be a force in sprints this season when he gets it. A fast-run five furlongs is probably his optimum, and he could be high class when he gets that.

16th April 2010