Brando

Brando did remarkably well to finish as close as he did in the British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Kevin Ryan’s horse raced from stall seven and towards the stands side, which was probably a significant disadvantage on the day. Just three horses raced towards the far side in the Sprint Stakes, The Tin Man, Signs Of Blessing and Don’t Touch, and they finished first, fourth and fifth. Also, the two other races on the straight track on the day were dominated by horses who raced towards the far side.

Brando has never won at a level that is higher than Group 3 level, and he was ninth in the Nunthorpe Stakes on his only previous attempt at Group 1 level, but he was second to Mecca’s Angel in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at The Curragh in July, and he won the Ayr Gold Cup last month off a mark of 110. Actually, his revised mark of 116 made him the join-fourth highest-rated horse in the Sprint Stakes. He goes well on fast and on easy ground, he goes well at Ascot, but he also goes well at Ayr and at Sandown and Haydock and Newmarket. He is versatile regarding ground and track. He is also versatile regarding trip because, while he is very good at six furlongs, he is also effective over five. He is only four, he is progressive, he is probably still improving as a sprinter, and he could make up into a genuine Group 1 sprinter next season.

15^th October 2016