Iver Bridge Lad

All the talk after the Cornwallis Stakes was of Our Jonathan, justifiably so, after he was switched by the daring Jamie Spencer across the track in behind horses from his draw in stall one to deliver his challenge on the far rail and get up and win by a neck. It was a fine performance, but the performances of the runner-up Taajub and the third Iver Bridge Lad may have gone under the radar as a result. Taajub was drawn in stall five, but remained out in the centre of the track. He showed real pace for four furlongs, travelling better than anything down to the two-furlong pole. He picked up nicely when Michael Hills asked him and he just about headed Taajub inside the final furlong before that horse battled back and nutted him for the runner-spot, as the pair of them were collared by Our Jonathan. It didn't help that Iver Bridge Lad travelled widest of all, but he did show an impressive turn of foot to hit the front.

This was by far the best run of John Ryan's colt's career. He did win a listed race at Sandown in July over five furlongs, and he ran well to finish second to the Ger Lyons-trained Love Lockdown in a Group 3 race at Kempton in September when he tried to make all. He was much better held up off this strong five-furlong pace, and a big run was obviously expected, given that he was backed down to 12/1 from an opening show of 25/1. He goes well at Kempton, he stays six furlong there well, and he goes well for Michael Hills. He can be marked up a little on his Ascot run, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

4th October, 2009

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