Wade Giles

Wade Giles looked impressive again when landing a one-mile conditions race at Naas on Wednesday evening. The son of Azamour raced in second place throughout, always just tracking the odds-on favourite Fencing Master. Still travelling really well at the top of the home straight, he took it up two furlongs out and stuck to his task really well to pull clear of Aidan O’Brien’s horse, with a six-length gap to the remainder.

There was a lot to like about this performance from Ger Lyons’s colt. Fencing Master may not be that reliable a guide any more, but visually, it was an impressive performance, the front pair pulled clear and the time of the race was really good, the only one of the four races that were run on the round course on the evening to dip under standard, which was a fine performance given that rain that fell during the evening had turned the ground to the easy side of good. While Fencing Master looks a bit frustrating now, he is still a useful performer, he was only beaten four lengths in the English 2000 Guineas, and he had no answer to the surge of Wade Giles inside the final furlong. Ger Lyons said afterwards that Wade Giles just about got away with the ground, that he wouldn't have wanted it any softer. He had been most impressive in winning his maiden on good to firm ground at The Curragh, so it is reasonable to think that he will be even better when he gets back to a fast surface. This was only his second ever start, he should come on for this and he is an exciting prospect.

21st July 2010

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