King Of Jazz

King Of Jazz really took the eye in finishing third in the Class 2 six-furlong handicap at Doncaster on Sunday on his first run for Michael Bell.

Held up out the back on the far side by Jamie Spencer from his draw in stall four, he was third last as they passed the halfway point, in contrast to the first two home, Colonel Mak and Advanced, who both sat prominently tracking the pace. He was travelling noticeably well towards the rear, he was the only horse still on the bridle with two furlongs to run, but he was forced to switch out widest of all towards the far side for a clear run a furlong and a half out, which was not ideal. He finished best of all to take third place, just behind Advanced in second, having made up good ground through the final furlong, but he was just too far behind when he started his challenge, and he ended up staying on nicely to take third place.

The son of Acclamation has been gelded over the winter since leaving Richard Hannon, and this was only his 11th lifetime start, and just his second over six furlongs since his two-year-old days. He travelled just about best of all here, he seemed to appreciate the more patient tactics, he clearly has the pace for six furlongs, and he probably could have won this if things had dropped a little better for him. He has been left unchanged on his mark of 96 following this run, a really promising first run for his new stable, and he is going to appeal now in any race he contests off that sort of mark. Although the only success to his name thus far is a three-year-old maiden victory, he has plenty of potential again now at four, especially at six furlongs, and a mark of 96 could under-estimate him appreciably.

1st April 2012

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