Nationalism

Nationalism ran another pleasing race on his second racecourse appearance, when finishing second to 66/1 shock winner Cotton Mill at Newmarket in a 10-furlong maiden on Wednesday. Nationalism was held up off a strong pace set by Sing Sweetly, who opened up a clear lead in front. The leader was still clear going into the final two furlongs, but Nationalism eventually picked up well for William Buick, with Cotton Mill going with them on the outside. The pair fought it out inside the final furlong with Nationalism just unable to quicken again, the pair of them finishing five lengths clear of their field.

The winner was good, there didn’t appear to be any fluke about this despite the SP, but it was also another pleasing effort from Nationalism, who ran a promising race on his debut as well, just going down to Centurio, who had the benefit of experience having had two runs prior to that. He was a bit unlucky to find a 66/1 shot just too good for him here, but there was a lot to like about the way he picked up. It may be that he will be better dropped back to a mile. His breeding backs this notion up, he is by Pivotal and he is a half-brother to Sleeping Indian, who was a Group 2 winner over seven furlongs and was well able to hold his own in Group 1 fields over a mile. Nationalism should come on for this, he should win his maiden without too much fuss and before going on to bigger things.

7th July 2010