Camborne

Camborne returned to winning ways at Doncaster on Saturday and is a horse very much on the up again now.

Despite stepping up in trip to a mile and a half for the first time, William Buick rode Princess Haya’s horse more prominently than he had been ridden before. He had a good position just behind the front three on the rails and, although he just had to be squeezed along for a few strides early in the home straight as he came down the middle of the track, he was soon back on the bridle and came there three furlongs from home travelling strongly. He picked up instantly when Buick asked him to, coming clear from the two-furlong pole and careering away, despite carrying his head a little high.

The addition of cheekpieces may have made a difference, he is quirky, but he was really impressive in winning this. The time was good, the best time of the day, despite the fact that it was the last race and probably on the worst of the ground. This was just a Class 4 contest, and it may be under-rated as a result, especially as it was the last race on the card, but the winner could be very good. He is very lightly raced and, as long as his head remains intact and/or the cheekpieces continue to work, he can win again even off a 13lb-higher mark and up in grade. His trainer John Gosden has a knack of improving his middle-distance handicappers race on race.

9th June 2012