Gulmarg

Connemara Coast was the obvious eye-catcher from the one-mile three-year-olds’ handicap that opened proceedings at Newmarket on Saturday, given how well he travelled towards the near side, and the traffic problems that he encountered on the way through, as Surely Not kicked for home on the far side. But it may be that the quality of the performance that Gulmarg put up in finishing third will not get the credit that it deserves. Sean Woods’ horse travelled well through his race in mid-division. He got a nice gap two furlongs out and he travelled well into it, picking up nicely on the run into the Dip. He had no answer to Surely Not’s finishing kick on the far side, and he just lost out to Connemara Coast for the runner-up spot, but he kept on well to the line, in a race in which the hold-up horses were favoured. The other three horses who, with him, filled the first four places, were last, second last and third last through the early stages of the race.

This was Gulmarg’s second run of the year, he didn’t lack for race fitness, but he was weak in the market before this race, so there is every chance that he will come on for it, his first run on turf since last October. He should progress now again this season. Also, he showed a lot of pace here, his two wins last year were gained over six and seven furlongs and, out of a mare who won over six furlongs, he could appreciate a drop back down to seven furlongs.
Newmarket, 19^th April 2023