Hawkeyethenoo

Hawkeyethenoo ran a really encouraging race to finish sixth in the Class 2 seven-furlong handicap that opened proceedings at Ascot on Saturday.

Settled at the rear of the field through the early stages of the race, he travelled well for Graham Lee towards the near side. Still last of the 17 runners passing the two-furlong pole, but travelling well, just about the only horse still on the bridle, it took him a little while to engineer a clear run for himself and, by the time he did, his winning chance had effectively gone. He did keep on well through the final 300 yards, however, closing the leaders down all the way to the line and getting to within a length and a half of the winner.

Jim Goldie's horse is eight years old now, he has raced 58 times in his life, and he should not have too many secrets either from the market or the handicapper. However, this was probably his best run all season, it was another step forward from an encouraging run over the same course and distance behind Heavy Metal in the International Handicap in July, and it could bring him forward again.

We are entering his time of year now and his ground conditions. This time last year, he finished fourth behind Gordon Lord Byron in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock, but he has dropped to a mark of 100 now, 9lb lower than the mark off which he raced in May, and that gives him a real chance of winning a decent handicap. He really is versatile, he goes on all types of ground and over all distances from five furlongs to seven, and he could be dangerously handicapped now after this encouraging run. He will be of interest wherever he runs next.

6th September 2014

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