Urban Beat

Urban Beat put up a smart performance to win the 6f handicap.  Held up towards the near side early on by Shane Foley, he picked up well on the run to the 1f pole.  He came through smoothly under just a hands-and-heels ride to win cosily in a good time.  It is probable that he had a fair bit more in hand than the half-length winning margin.

This was a really good performance from a three-year-old under 9st 12lb, giving weight away to most of his rivals, the majority of them hardened handicappers.  He won his first two races this season, both on heavy ground, and he was kept off the track by Johnny Murtagh through the height of the summer.  This was his first run back since he won a 6f handicap at The Curragh in May on heavy ground off a mark of 89, and it was a really nice return, racing off an 8lb higher mark.  The handicapper raised him by another 7lb for this win, but he won well, and this was just his fourth race ever, so he has bags of scope for progression.  He holds an entry in the Ayr Gold Cup, and he would be of big interest in that race if he took his chance under a 5lb penalty.  He goes well on soft ground, so he will be of interest as we move into the autumn, and he could prove to be better than a handicapper.

The Curragh, 1^st September 2018