Con Artist

Con Artist put up a fine performance to finish second to a really talented sort in Emerging Artist in a Class 3 10-furlong handicap at Newbury on Friday. Racing prominently throughout and forced a little wide on the home turn as the winner got a nice little run though on the inside, Con Artist still travelled well to pick it up at the two-furlong pole. He looked the most likely winner from here, but they were racing into a strong head wind up the home straight, and Emerging Artist’s stamina eventually kicked in (he had raced exclusively over 12 furlongs before this). Con Artist was done for stamina in the end against a progressive rival, but he still kept on well for second, with a clear gap back to the third and fourth.

The slow early pace made it difficult for horses to get into this coming from off the pace, but the form still looks solid, the front two had it between them for the last three furlongs, and they had useful handicappers Grey Bunting and Changing The Guard behind in third and fourth. Con Artist is only three, this was just his second run of the season and just the fourth of his life, and he should come on appreciably for it. The son of Invincible Spirit won his maiden nicely at Windsor on his previous run, making all, and he is a half-brother to a listed race and Group 3 placed horse in Germany. This is probably his trip, no further, he looked like he was going to outpace Emerging Artist here before the strong headwind seemed to play into the winner’s hands. There could still be a good 10-furlong handicap in him.

16th July 2010