Extraterrestrial

He may be an eight-year-old, but Extraterrestrial is still worth noting after a really encouraging seasonal return in a London Mile Qualifier at Kempton on Saturday.

Richard Fahey’s gelding broke on terms from his widest draw (14 of 14) but soon found himself stone last as Laura Barry appeared anxious not to be trapped wide early on and dropped the horse in at the rear. That ultimately counted against him though as it was very much a race in which it paid to race handily – the first four home occupied the first four places throughout. Extraterrestrial had to come widest of all into the home straight, he was still seemingly going well enough as they turned in and passed the three-furlong marker, but he wasn’t immediately asked for his effort, despite the fact that he had a clear enough run down the stands side. By the time he was asked to pick up the leaders had got away, but he stayed on nicely to be closest at the finish without threatening.

Considering the Mind Games gelding was weak in the market, and that he has never won first time up, this was a really encouraging first run back. He should improve for the run, and he will be of interest next time now. On a handicap mark of 91, he is 8lb higher than his last winning mark, but he did win twice off a mark of 95 in 2009 and, having been in good form at the end of last season, he looks as though he could be ready to win again soon. He would be particularly interesting if he were to run in the Thirsk Hunt Cup in early May as he does run well at Thirsk, he has won that race before and has another win and a second to his name from three runs at the track.

7th April 2012