Tawhid

Tawhid ran well for a long way in the John Of Gaunt Stakes over seven furlongs at Haydock on Saturday.

Really weak in the market before the off, the Goldophin horse was slowly into his stride and, although rushed up a little, he was widest of all around the home turn and was disputing second last place by the time they straightened up, four and a half furlongs from home.

From there, he travelled like a good horse. He moved up easily when Kieren Fallon asked him to, and he joined Penitent in the front rank two furlongs out. At that point, Tawhid was travelling best of all, he was the only horse who was still on the bridle. He probably hit the front just outside the furlong pole, but he was quickly a beaten horse after that. He very quickly came under pressure and started to fade as the challengers enveloped him on both sides. He quickly faded to fifth place, and Fallon wasn't hard on him through the final 100 yards as he faded to finish seventh, seven and a half lengths behind the winner Penitent.

This was a good race. Penitent, Eton Forever and Garswood brought solid Pattern form into the race, while Breton Rock and Here Comes When are really progressive horses. Okay, so Tawhid was well beaten in the end, but he travelled like a horse who was at home in this grade.

The Invincible Spirit colt has never been at his best when he has been fresh. He was well beaten on his racecourse debut as a juvenile and he finished second to So Beloved on his second run before he got off the mark at his third attempt. Last season as a three-year-old, he was last of four in the Craven Stakes on his debut, but he stepped forward on that to finish third in a Group 2 race at Cologne, and he stepped forward again to finish third in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on his next run. His weakness in the market on Saturday told you that he was probably going to come on for his debut this season as well. This run could have put him spot on for his next run.

He would be of interest at Royal Ascot, given that he handled the track and the conditions so well there last year in the Jersey Stakes. However, it is a pity that he is too highly-rated for the Buckingham Palace, as seven furlongs seems to suit him so well. It may be that he will have to take on the top class sprinters in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, and that may just be a step too far.

He handles easy ground well, and seven furlongs probably is his optimum trip, so he will be of real interest the next time he encounters those conditions.

31st May 2014

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