Count Calabash
Count Calabash did well to win the 12f handicap as well as he did, given how free he was through the early stages of the race. He raced up on the outside of Croquembouche from early, and it looked like he was doing more than Charles Bishop wanted him to do. Still keen as they raced to the home turn, he moved up on the outside to hit the front as soon as they straightened up for home. He kicked for home at the 2f pole and he kept going strongly all the way to the line to win well.
Winner of his last three races as a juvenile for Paul Cole, the Big Bad Bob gelding joined Eve Johnson Houghton last summer, and it appears that he is an improved horse this season as a four-year-old. He battled back well to win a Kempton handicap on his debut this season off a mark of 86, and he was able to win again on Saturday off a 4lb higher mark. The handicapper raised him by another 6lb for Saturday's win, but he deserved a decent hike. He has now won five of his 12 races, and he could step up again. He should do better if he can learn to settle a little better. The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes back at Royal Ascot is reportedly his next target and, now one for one at Ascot, that is a legitimate target.
Ascot, 12th May 2018
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