Dutch Law

Dutch Law put up a really nice performance to win the seven-furlong handicap at Newmarket last Saturday.

Slowly away and settled at the back of the field through the early stages of the race by Oisin Murphy, he was scrubbed along for a few strides after they had gone two furlongs, just to retain his momentum. It looked like he was in trouble on the run to the three-furlong pole, as his rider became a little more animated but, moved towards the stands rail, he started to find his rhythm as they began to hit the rising ground. He probably got to the front with about 150 yards to run, but he appeared to idle once he got there, and he almost allowed Free Code back in. As it happened, his nose was down on the line, so he landed the spoils.

Hughie Morrison’s horse is tricky enough, he is a difficult horse with whom to win, as evidenced by the fact that this was just the second win of his 15-race career, a career in which he has finished second six times. He was never really on the bridle through the early stages of this race, but there is no doubt that he has talent. He picked up well on the near side to pass just about all his rivals inside the final two furlongs, doing well to finish as well as he did off what was a fairly sedate pace. According to Timeform, his finishing speed over the last three furlongs was 105.61% of overall speed, and that was the fastest of the race by far.

The handicapper raised him 2lb for this, and that is more than fair, he should be well up to his new mark of 87. He could progress again now with the confidence that this win – his first since June 2015 – could bring, and he should do even better off a faster pace. He should also do better back on easier ground, and he is worth trying over a mile again.

16^th July 2016