B Fifty Two

B Fifty Two ran a cracking race in the five-furlong handicap that opened York’s Ebor meeting on Wednesday.

Charlie Hills’ horse took the field along on the far side at a really fast pace. About three lengths clear as they passed the three-furlong pole, he kept on remarkably well for Frankie Dettori all the way to the line to win the ‘race’ on the far side from Robot Boy and Ashpan Sam, finishing third overall, beaten just a short head and a neck.

This was a race that was run at a breakneck pace and in which it was almost certainly an advantage to be held up. The sectional times for each of the five furlongs were, respectively, 17.32secs (extended), 10.33secs, 10.81secs, 11.27secs and 12.57secs, suggesting that the horses who raced handily were at a disadvantage. And not only did B Fifty Two race handily, he took the entire field along, he raced through the early stages with daylight between him and his pursuers.

The son of Dark Angel is progressive again now. He made all the running to win a handicap at Chester on easy ground on his penultimate run before this, before disappointing in Discussiontofollow’s race at Ascot last month. That was excusable, it was the sixth time in six attempts that he had finished unplaced at Ascot. Also, Wednesday’s run was his first for Charlie Hills – he was with his dad Barry before this – so he have improved for his new surroundings.

A fast five furlongs suits him well, and he will always be of interest if it looks like he will be able to secure an easy enough lead. He was racing off a mark of 94 on Wednesday, 13lb lower than his peak, so he has lots of scope off that mark. He goes well on easy ground as well, so he will remain interesting if and when the ground eases.

20th August 2014