Colombian

Colombian got a nice tow through the maiden that he won at Chester last week, on the inside just behind the front two, but was hampered on the crown of the home turn and did well to win so well after that. They went fast enough early on and with one of the leaders weakening on the turn for home, Colombian was caught in the backwash slightly. Once he was back on an even keel, he soon picked up into the straight and readily went about the business of picking up Tanfeeth, coming away nicely in the last 50 yards, the pair of them quickly pulling a long way clear of the rest.

John Gosden’s horse really impressed with his attitude here, especially given it was just his third ever race. This can be a good maiden, it has been won in the past by Harbinger and Mountain High, while the St Leger winner Shantou (trained by Gosden) was beaten in it. Colombian can certainly go on from this now. His dam was a three-time winner in France, including at Group 2 level in the Prix de l’Opera, and she is the dam of the Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) winner Clodovil.

Colombian had been very well backed for his first run back this term (as he was too here) and it was a most encouraging run over a mile at Newbury, he came there on the far side but just couldn’t quite go with the front two inside the last furlong but, having been hampered slightly, was coming back at them late on. This step up to 10 furlongs suited him well, and he could well get 12 furlongs in due course. Off a mark of 93 he should be competitive in handicaps in the short term and, although he holds no big-race entries at this stage, he could well develop into a pattern race performer sooner rather than later.

4th May 2011