Raise You

Raise You ran well for a long way in the Group 3 Novi IT Services International Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday. Held up by Shane Crosse, he was a little keener than ideal early on, but he settled better after they had gone a couple of furlongs, and he travelled well along the inside into the home straight. Moved towards the outside as they rounded the home turn, he travelled well to the two-furlong marker, but he had no answer when Helvic Dream quickened up on his outside. He couldn’t get past Up Helly Aa for second place either, but he kept on well to take third place, over seven lengths clear of Sonnyboyliston in fourth.

The Lope De Vega colt was well beaten in a listed race at The Curragh in June on his first run for Joseph O’Brien, but this was much more like it. A dual winner for Andrew Balding last year, he handled heavy ground well on his final run in Britain when he finished third behind Addeybb in the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock last August, and he handled the soft ground well on Sunday. That gives his trainer options for the remainder of the season, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

The Curragh, 11^th October 2020

© Sportinglife.com, 12^th October 2020