Naval Commander

Naval Commander was a little unlucky not to finish closer than he did in the 10-furlong handicap at Epsom on Monday. Smartly away and in front after they had gone 50 yards, William Buick took him back in order that he could take a lead from Fast Steps. He travelled well from there, down around Tattenham Corner, and he travelled well to the three-furlong marker, but he was kept in on the rail from that point. There was a gap there early in the home straight, but then Wait For The Lord rolled down the camber to his left and suddenly Naval Commander had nowhere to go. Patient Dream came with an unchecked run down the outside, and he got the better of a good tussle with the early leader Fast Steps, but Naval Commander kept on again at the end and, beaten just a total of two lengths, left the impression that he had plenty of energy left. He may not have beaten Patient Dream even with a clear run, but he may have, and the winner was the one who received the majority of the post-race attention, with the result that Naval Commander’s run may have gone a little under the radar.

Winner of a maiden last year over a mile, Robyn Brisland’s horse kept on well to win over a mile at Newbury on his debut this season off a mark of 88, and he was racing off just a 2lb higher mark on Monday. All but one of his previous runs had been over a mile, but he stayed the 10-furlong trip well on Monday and, with just eight races under his belt, he retains potential for progression over this trip. He handles easy ground, and he could progress beyond his mark of 90 now as we move into the autumn.
Epsom, 30^th August 2021