Mangham

Mangham ran a lot better than his finishing position in seventh place suggests in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on Saturday. Fast away and endeavouring to make all, as is his wont, David Brown's gelding looked like he might just make all as they approached the furlong marker. However, at that point Flawed Genius got the split between him and Bencoolen and, once collared, Mangham appeared to think that he had had enough, and he was passed by four more horses inside the final 50 yards.

The son of Montjeu probably needs a sterner test of stamina than a mile on fast ground at Thirsk can provide. His best runs last year were towards the end of the season either at Pontefract, one of the stiffest tracks in the UK, or on soft ground. He has been disappointing on the face of it on both of his runs so far this term, but I am happy to give him another chance either on softer ground or stepped up in trip, or perhaps back at Pontefract, or a combination of any of these factors.

2nd May 2009

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