Symbolize

Symbolize out-ran odds of 40/1 by a long way in finishing third in the Jersey Stakes. Settled towards the rear of the field early on by David Probert, he was keen enough early on and he came under pressure just inside the three-furlong pole, but he responded well. He had to manoeuvre his way through traffic a little but, once in the clear, he stayed on well through the final furlong down the near side to take third place behind Molatham and Monarch Of Egypt. It never looked like he was going to challenge the front two, but he had to do his running on the near side as the two protagonists fought it out in the centre of the track, so he was brave in running on as well as he did.

Andrew Balding’s horse didn’t go beyond six furlongs last year as a juvenile. Indeed, his first two runs were over five furlongs, he won his maiden over that trip on his debut, and he finished fourth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last year on his second run. He ran just once over six furlongs, he kept on to finish fifth in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on his third and final run last season. He improved on that here, he stayed the seven furlongs well on soft ground, at a stiff track. He is worth another try at this trip and, given that this was his first run since last August, he could improve again.

Ascot, 18^th June 2020