Running Lion

Running Lion was probably the best horse in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday. She travelled really well through her race on the far side and, when she moved easily into the lead at the three-furlong marker, she looked set to go on and win impressively. But she started to hang to her left at that point and, despite all of Oisin Murphy’s efforts, she continued to go that way, conceding ground and moment and ultimately the lead to Stay Alert. She was a fairly well beaten second in the end, but she shaped better than that. It may be that she was feeling the ground on the run into The Dip, or it may be that she lost concentration in front.

She is a talented filly, no question. She won the Pretty Polly Stakes on this day last year, and she was considered good enough by the Gosdens for her to take her chance in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last October. She goes well at Newmarket, on the Rowley Mile, and interest will be heightened if she can get her toe in at least a little.

Newmarket, 5^th May 2024