Danzeno

Danzeno did really well to finish fifth in the July Cup at Newmarket last Saturday, given how the race panned out.

It was not in his favour that he raced in rear through the early part of the race. The early pace was not fast for a six-furlong Group 1 race, and the July Course is a track – and this year’s July meeting was a meeting – at which it can be difficult to make ground from the rear if the early pace is not frenetic.

Stone last passing the two-furlong pole, Danzeno was switched towards the far side by Frankie Dettori, and he picked up well as they met the rising ground. He only finished fifth in the end, but he was beaten a total of just two and a quarter lengths by Muhaarar, who raced handily throughout, as did the second and third, Tropics and Eastern Impact. Danzeno and fourth-placed Sole Power (who will once again be of interest for the Nunthorpe) were the only two horses who were able to get close from the rear.

This was a big run by Danzeno, it was his best run of three this season so far. Six furlongs at a fast track on fast ground is probably sharp enough for him. He has high-class form over six furlongs, but his best runs have been at stiff tracks or on easy ground or over six and a half furlongs. It was probably a combination of soft ground and a stiff track that enabled him put up the best performance of his career to date when he went down by just a head to the highly talented Lightning Moon in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot last October, the pair of them nicely clear of their rivals.

A talented three-year-old sprinter last year, Michael Appleby’s horse has progressed with each of his races this term, and he will be of interest now wherever he goes next, especially if there is an emphasis on strength over six furlongs. He could be an interesting outsider in the Haydock Sprint Cup if he takes his chance in that race in September, especially if the ground is on the easy side, which it often is for that race, and he will always be of interest if and when he returns to Ascot.

11^th July 2015