Pennsylvania Dutch

Pennsylvania Dutch did really well to win the six-furlong handicap that opened proceedings at Haydock last Saturday.

Squeezed out of it at the start, William Haggas’ horse was very keen in behind horses through the early stages of the race. Still last of the nine runners at half way, Ben Curtis moved him to the far side, behind the entire field, widest of all away from the favoured stands rail. It took him a little while to pick up but, once he did, he finished off his race best of all. He passed his entire field and got up and win by a half a length from Bellevarde and favourite Fantasy Keeper, who made late headway against the favoured stands rail.

It was a fine performance by the winner. Not only was he hampered at the start, but that incident seemed to light him up a bit, he had to have expended plenty of energy as his rider restrained him through the early stages of the race. As well as that, he had to challenge widest of all, in daylight and away from the stands rail, which is usually where you want to be on the straight track at Haydock, especially on easy ground. It was impressive that he was able to make as much ground as he did out there, and he probably won with more in hand than the half-length winning margin.

This was the Lael Stable gelding’s first run in 282 days, and it was only his second run ever, so he has bags of potential for progression. He was an intended runner last month, but he went down in the stalls and had to be withdrawn. So he is late getting going this season, but he could be worth the wait. His only previous run was also over Saturday’s course and distance last September, and he won nicely then too. That was on good ground but, by Dutch Art and out of a Pivotal mare, he seemed to really appreciate the easy conditions on Saturday. The handicapper raised him by just 3lb to a mark of 84, and that looks decidedly lenient. He could still have [plenty of leeway off that mark. It should be worth following him wherever he goes next, especially if the ground is on the easy side.

10^th June 2017