Area Fifty One

All of the principals seemed to be at least a little unlucky in the John Smith's Cup at York on Saturday; Mijhaar is the one who has attracted most attention, but both Media Hype and Area Fifty One, though finishing much closer, encountered trouble in running too. Area Fifty One’s misfortune appears to have been largely missed, but he was unlucky to miss out on a place, and he is very much worth noting after this.

He seemed to have the perfect sit through the early stages of the race on the inside behind the front few, but it may have been that he was actually a little too prominent as the leader and second faded to finish a well-beaten second last and last, and the first three home were all held up or raced in mid-division. More significantly, however, when he was angled out at the top of the home straight to begin his challenge, he couldn't get through between Fair Trade and Stand To Reason. Navajo Chief then edged across too and further blocked the gap, forcing Area Fifty One to clip heels slightly with Stand To Reason and lose his balance briefly.

Even then, he tried to go the other side of Stand To Reason but the winner, King’s Warrior, had improved up the inside and kept him in a pocket. There was nowhere for him to go at a crucial time, he had to switch right back towards the inside and, having done so, he kept on well, just missing out on fourth. He had moved into third position soon after the line.

His passage through this race may just have been missed a little, but it probably cost him a place at least. He will be better back on even better ground as well, and he could be under-rated a touch now on the back of this.


14th July 2012


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