Planet Of Sound

Planet Of Sound ran a cracker to finish third to Imperial Commander and Tidal Bay in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock last Saturday on ground that would have been softer than ideal. Settled on the inner in the last three early on, he was a little keen through the early stages (even starting down the back for second time he was still taking a pull). His jumping was superb though, probably the best round of his career, he stood off his fences down the back straight, and he went in close and popped them accurately in the home straight when he was getting tired. He sneaked up the inside turning out of the back straight on the final circuit still travelling well and looking like he was going to be a threat to Imperial Commander out in front. He soon came under pressure though when the Gold Cup winner turned the screw, but he did run on all the way to the line, getting past Nacarat soon after the last as Tidal Bay started to charge home.

Phillip Hobbs’s charge will be better suited by better ground, which he should get in the King George if he takes his chance at Kempton. We now know for sure that he stays this trip well, and this run should have knocked the freshness out of him so he shouldn’t be so keen next time. A very consistent sort, the Kayf Tara gelding is only eight and is still progressive at this level following his fine victory in the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival in April.

20th November 2010