Virtual

Virtual ran a cracker to finish third behind Goldikova and Aqlaam in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday on ground that would have been far faster than ideal, so much faster that John Gosden thought long and hard about whether or not to allow the son of Pivotal take his chance. He is a much better horse on soft ground than he is on fast, and he may even be worth another try over 10 furlongs. He didn't seem to appreciate that distance in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but that was on fast ground as well, which he didn't seem to handle. He won a listed race over nine furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte last season. He will be interesting now between now and the end of the season wherever he goes as long as the ground is soft. The Champion Stakes at Newmarket could be the race for him. It often comes up on the easy side for that.

16th August 2009


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