Pachattack

Pachattack produced another fine effort to finish third behind Antara and Reggane in a nine-furlong Group 3 fillies’ race at Epsom on Derby Day. Held up in the last trio, Gerard Butler’s filly travelled well through the race. As they came into the straight, Ryan Moore angled her out to follow Antara through. She did not have the pace to go with the favourite, but after a few strides she began to pick well and stay on. She was checked and hampered just over a furlong out, but she still managed to pick up again and pass three fillies to take third place behind the front two, who dominated the market as well as the finish of the race.

This was another solid effort in defeat from Pachattack. She has not won since she won her maiden at Goodwood as a two-year-old, but she continues to run really well in defeat. She was checked at a vital time up the straight here, she would not have got to the front two even without the interference, but they are both potential Group 1 class, and there was a lot to like about the way Pachattack was able to pick up again after being checked and run on well to take third. She gave the impression here that a step back up to 10 furlongs would suit, she ran well over that distance on her second start this season, when she finished second behind King’s Destiny at Lingfield, and on her previous run. She was dropped down to a mile for a listed event at York, and it is probable that the steady pace did not play to her strengths that day.

Pachattack continues to be underrated, she was a 14/1 shot for this race and, although she has run 12 times since her last win, it should be worthwhile keeping her on side. A mark of 101 is fair and she will be seen at her best over a fast-run 10-furlongs.

5th June 2010