Larchmont Lad

Larchmont Lad ran a big race to finish seventh at a big price in the Moet & Chandon International Stakes over seven furlongs. Joe Tuite’s horse was always up with the pace on the far side, which was not an advantage on a day on which it appeared to be an advantage to race on the near side, and in a race in which the hold-up horses came to the fore. He tracked Vale Of Kent on the far side, and he picked up well when Scott McCullagh asked him to. He hit the front on the far side at the furlong pole and, while he faded close home, he still kept on well enough to finish second best on the far side. The first four home were clear, and they all raced on the near side. Also, the sixth horse Firmament drifted towards the far side, having raced initially on the near side from his high draw. Larchmont Lad did second best of the low-drawn horses who raced towards the far side after Admirality.

Winner of the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at The Curragh last year when he was with David O’Meara, Larchmont Lad ran a big race on his debut for Joe Tuite this season when he finished second to Hey Gaman in a listed race at Leicester from a disadvantageous draw. Disappointing next time on soft ground at Haydock, he wasn’t beaten far by Limato in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket in July, and this was another encouraging run. The handicapper has dropped him down another 1lb to a mark of 105, which is 6lb lower than his peak. He was a big price on Saturday, he has been big prices in all his four races this season to date, and he could spring a surprise in a good race in him now. Seven furlongs on fast ground suits him well.

Ascot, 27^th July 2019