Fatanah

Fatanah was impressive in making all in the 10-furlong maiden at Sandown on Saturday. Everything went right for the daughter of Green Desert on the day, and Richard Hills got the run of the race from the front on her, but she was still impressive in beating Issabella Gem and Ship’ Biscuit, two Oaks entries, into second and third places, she never looked in danger, and the winning time was half a second faster than the Classic Trial run over the same course and distance on the day.

This is usually a good maiden, won by Dar Re Mi two years ago and by Star Ruby last year, who went on to finish second to Sariska in the Musidora Stakes on her only subsequent run, and Fatanah could be very useful this season. She is in the Ribblesdale Stakes, and she may well get a mile and a half, but her pedigree suggests that this 10-furlong trip should prove to be her optimum. These front-running tactics suited her well and, with her stamina now proved for this trip, her rider can be as aggressive as he likes from the front over 10 furlongs. This was just her third ever race, her seasonal debut, and she will be of interest wherever she goes next.

23rd April 2010