King Bolete

King Bolete put up a really nice performance to win the one-and-a-half-mile handicap at Haydock on Saturday. There wasn’t much obvious pace in the race, so Andrea Atzeni allowed the Cape Cross gelding stride along from early from stall six. He got an easy enough time of it in front, in that he wasn’t really harried by his rivals, but he didn’t give himself that easy a time. He had been keen enough on the way to post, and he was a little keen in front through the early stages of the race. He wears a cross noseband, so that is obviously his nature. Even so, he travelled well into the home straight in front, and kicked off the front end. The well-backed Duretto mounted a strong challenge on the outside, and it looked like he was a big danger as they passed the furlong pole, but Roger Varian’s horse found lots in front, and he pulled away to win by over a length.

This was a really nice performance by King Bolete on his first run for Roger Varian. He was well-positioned from flagfall by Atzeni, but it is probable that he was the best horse in the race anyway. Actually, he is such a keen-going sort that he should do even better held up off a fast pace.

The handicapper has raised him 4lb, which is not harsh, and there could be another good handicap in him off his new mark of 94. This was just his ninth race, it was his seasonal debut, his first since being gelded and his first for Varian, so he has lots of scope for progression. He will be of interest wherever he goes next.

7^th May 2016