Saint Are

Saint Are ran an eye-catching race to finish third behind Tobago Bay and Arctic Wings in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap hurdle at Newbury on Saturday. He wasn't fluent over his obstacles in the early stages, and he was fairly obviously outpaced when they picked up at the end of the back straight. Ridden along on the run down the side of the track into the home straight, he responded willingly to pressure as one by one his rivals started to come under pressure and fade. It never looked like he was going to get to Tobago Bay and Arctic Wings, but he stayed on gallantly all the way to the line. He probably would have got up if the race had been 50 yards longer.

This was a most encouraging run from Tim Vaughan's gelding on his first run in a handicap. A rating of 125 didn't appear harsh, and a 4lb hike for this performance is more than acceptable. He is only five, he has significant scope for progression, and that progression should be accelerated now if he is stepped up to three miles. He is by the German sire Network out of a mare who won over two miles and six furlongs and who has already produced a winner over fences over two and a half miles, he is bred for stamina, and it is probable that he will not be seen at his best until he steps up to three miles or even further. When he does, he should be worth following.

6th March 2011

© The Irish Field, 12th March 2011

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