Stuccodor

Stuccodor continued his recent progression by wining a 10-furlong handicap at Leopardstown on Monday, and did so in emphatic fashion. Always travelling well behind the front two, he cruised up between them early in the home straight, quickened right away inside the final furlong and won really impressively by six lengths under just a hands-and-heels ride.

Trainer Dermot Weld played this performance down a little after the race, claiming the horse’s fitness was a key factor in this ground. It probably was, but there is no reason to think that he was flattered, he came right away from his field, he visibly picked up, and the time was over two seconds faster than the fastest of the other three 10-furlong races on the card, including Derby candidate Indian Chief’s maiden.

Stuccodor just continues to improve, his record is now 21111 since being fitted with headgear, and this was his most impressive performance so far. He goes on quicker ground too, he had won on good ground on his previous run last week, but the way he picked up in this soft ground suggests he may be at his best in this sort of ground. That is not certain though, and this performance may just be a measure of the magnitude of his improvement. He could continue to be under-rated by the handicapper and by the markets and he could well be capable of taking his chance in a decent handicap now. If he does go hurdling, he could be the type to make a really useful hurdler.

14th April 2013

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