Awake My Soul

Awake My Soul has been progressive since he joined David O’Meara this season, and he ran another career-best in finishing fourth in the John Smith’s Cup at York on Saturday, narrowly bettering his previous effort when third to Nabucco and Strictly Silver at Newmarket.

He was keen through the early stages of Saturday’s race, he was wider than ideal and he could never really get any cover, Danny Tudhope kept trying to get in for the first few furlongs but he was trapped three or four wide throughout (the winner, Danchai, was drawn wider but he managed to get into a good position just behind the leaders). Awake My Soul travelled really well into the home straight, he cruised up on the outside of the leading group three furlongs out, he and the eventual runner-up Stencive the only two horses who were not under pressure just inside the two-furlong pole.

While he couldn’t get to the winner, and while he did edge to his right when he was first asked to pick up by Tudhope, he still kept on nicely towards the centre of the track to finish fourth, a little way clear of the rest of a well-bunched field.

The Teofilo gelding goes really well on this fast ground, but he also handles soft ground well, and he remains really progressive. He had gone up 3lb for his previous win at Newmarket after the weights for his had come out so, he will have to have to race off a 3lb higher mark next time he runs, but the manner in which he travelled into his race here suggests he could still be a little way ahead of that mark. There could be a big handicap like this in him now this season.

He should be even better in a more strongly-run race, as that would allow him to travel deep into the race. It could be worth dropping in trip too, he travels so well and he is one for one in his career over trips shorter than a mile and a quarter. His dam had the pace to win the Prix de la Foret and her offspring include Olympian Odyssey, who was third to George Washington and Sir Percy in the 2000 Guineas, and Field Of Dream, multiple big seven-furlong handicap winner. The Cambridgeshire, a nine-furlong handicap in which a strong pace is guaranteed, could suit Awake My Soul well.

13th July 2013

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