Vainglory

For all Vainglory is an exposed seven-year-old, still 3lb higher than his highest winning mark, he has now put in two eye-catching runs in a row in races which have transpired against his racing style. Having been for much of his career a horse who liked to race prominently, he has been ridden completely differently on his last two runs, held up right out the back in big-field handicaps and brought with a late run. He was unlucky on his previous start at Epsom, encountering traffic in the straight, and was held hostage to the way the race was run here at York. Dropped right out again, they did not go a strong gallop up front and the first three home had far better positions than Vainglory, particularly the first two, Confront and Sarrsar, who were in the first five throughout, enjoying the perfect tow into the race.

Vainglory was settled right out the rear, he was second last turning for home and, although he was too far back to pick up the front two once they kicked on off the moderate pace, David Simcock’s gelding ran on really well through the last couple of furlongs to get involved in the placings. The form of his previous run at Epsom received a boost when the winner Dance And Dance went on to finish second in the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday, and Vainglory’s turn could come soon. The handicapper has left him on his mark of 90, which is 2lb lower than he was two races ago. He could be a horse who could run well in the John Smith’s Handicap at York early next month. He has been staying on well over nine furlongs, he is worth another try over 10 furlongs now, and the fast pace that they usually go in the John Smith’s should suit him well.

11th June 2011