Euchen Glen

Euchen Glen did well to finish third in the two-mile handicap at York on Wednesday.

Held up through the early stages of the race by Paul Mulrennan, he was not helped by the fact that David Allan was allowed dictate a relatively sedate pace up front on My Reward. He was keen enough through his race, and he was still disputing last place of the 15 runners as they turned for home. He travelled well among horses to the three-furlong pole, and he had to switch towards the far side in order to get racing room but, when he got it, he stayed on nicely. He was still only sixth as they raced inside the final furlong, but he kept on really well from there to get up to take third place.

The winner Magic Circle did win well, he won with a little bit in hand, but he was well positioned towards the front of the field from early, as was the runner-up My Reward. The fourth and fifth horses home, Penglai Pavilion and Platitude, were also handy from early. Euchen Glen did well to get as close as he did from the rear in a race that was run to suit the prominently-positioned horses.

Jim Goldie’s horse continues his progression now as a stayer. A winner at Ayr in June off a mark of 88 when stepped up to a mile and five furlongs for the first time, he had no luck in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock in July, he was hampered as he went for a run up the inside rail. He bounced out of that, however, and won the Shergar Cup Marathon at Ascot off a mark of 89 when stepped up to two miles for the first time. This was just his second run over two miles and, racing off a mark of 91, he probably put up a career-best effort. He has plenty of potential for progression now as a young stayer, and he should do even better when he can be held up off a faster pace. He goes particularly well at Ayr, his record there reads 2111, and he will be of significant interest if he runs at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting next month.

23^rd August 2017