Martyr

Martyr looked really impressive when winning a staying handicap at Goodwood last Tuesday, and he looks a like a very interesting contender for the Ebor now. There was always a danger that he and Emerging Artist were far too aggressive in chasing the clear leader Becausewecan, but while that proved to be the case with Emerging Artist, who faded to finish fifth, Martyr travelled supremely well all the way up the home straight and found as much as it looked like he would to come away and win impressively by three lengths from Jedi, Sentry Duty and Woolfall Treasure, who all came from off the pace.

It would probably be difficult to find a more impressive winner at Goodwood last week, Martyr looked like a real class act here. Richard Hannon’s gelding is not lightly-raced, he is a five-year-old now, but this was a career-best and he looks progressive now. Interestingly, Martyr has won over 12 furlongs and two miles before, but this was his first ever start over 14 furlongs, and it has seen him produce his highest ever Racing Post Rating by some way. Given that, he is really interesting now for the Ebor. The handicapper raised him 9lb for this, but he will get to race in the Ebor under just a 4lb penalty, which would leave him 5lb well-in. This has been his best season so far, he had already won twice and finished third to Cill Rialaig in the Duke of Edinburgh handicap at Royal Ascot prior to this and his only disappointing run – down the field in a 12-furlong handicap at Newmarket – can be excused as the ground was on the soft side. On fast ground, he is a big Ebor player.

27th July 2010