Absinthe

Absinthe looked good in winning a 10-furlong handicap at Windsor on Monday evening. It was only a Class 4 handicap, but he did it impressively, he quickened up nicely when asked to go on two furlongs out and he kept on really well all the way to the line on the easy ground. Urban Space, who was well-beaten in second, is a useful yardstick and he loves Windsor.

There was a lot to like about Absinthe’s performance, he handled the easy ground well and he stayed the 10-furlong trip well, which augurs well for his chances in the Cambridgeshire, which is apparently his target now. He is progressing nicely, he has only raced eight times in his life and just three times this season. He didn't win last year, but he was only beaten a half a length by Hanoverian Baron in a handicap on easy ground at Sandown last September when he came over to race on the near side in the home straight, which probably wasn't an advantage. Hanoverian Baron is now rated 24lb higher than he was then, Absinthe is rated just 16lb higher. Also, he has now won his last two, he has a highly progressive profile now. The handicapper has raised him 9lb for this to a mark of 92, but that could still under-estimate his ability quite considerably, given his potential for progression. He seemed to improve for the easier ground, and odds of 20/1 about him for the Cambridgeshire at this stage are more than fair.

23rd August 2010

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