Flashcard

Flashcard was impressive in winning the one-mile handicap. Andrew Balding’s horse travelled like the most likely winner from a long way out. He moved up nicely in behind horses when Oisin Murphy asked him to, he hit the front on the run to the furlong marker, and he came clear of his field. Prince Of Harts kept on well to take second place, but Flashcard probably had a fair bit more than the winning margin of four lengths in hand.

He appeared to appreciate the easy ground here, and Ascot obviously suited him well. He could only finish second behind Motakhayyel at Newmarket on his previous run, when he was keen behind a sedate pace. That was his first attempt at a mile, but he was much happier here on easy ground behind a better pace and at Ascot. He had his Newmarket conqueror 15 lengths behind him here. The handicapper has raised him by 10lb to a mark of 101, but this was just his seventh race, and he has the potential to progress again.

Ascot, 27^th July 2019