Potomac

Potomac improved from his first run to his second run for Andy Oliver (6lb according to Racing Post Ratings) and he stepped up again on his third run for his new yard at Cork on Sunday when winning a one-mile-and-half-a-furlong handicap on soft ground.

He was a little keener than ideal through the early stages, and he was wide enough around the home turn given the conditions. He came under pressure on straightening up, and his progress was gradual down the outside rather than instant, but he did pick up well once he got going and he ran out an impressive winner in the end in a decent race in a good time, the fastest comparative time of the day. Once he hit tip gear he was able to power to the front before his advantage was cut back a little late on by the really well-backed favourite Bold Thady Quill, but Potomac pricked his ears going past the line, giving the impression that he had more to give.

The Shamardal gelding was with John Gosden as a two-year-old in 2010, easily landing a maiden at Southwell in December, but he disappointed on his handicap debut on his next start, he may well have picked up an injury there as he was off the track for the whole of last season, eventually being sold out of Gosden's yard at the Doncaster January Sale in 2011. He can continue to progress for his new yard now that he has won again, he has been raised 7lb for this win but, back on the winning trail now, there could be plenty more to come from him. He goes well on this easy ground, and he would probably be better suited by a stronger early pace given that he was a little keen through the early stages and that it took him a while to really find his stride in the home straight. He could probably step back up to nine or 10 furlongs as well on this evidence.

17th June 2012

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