Vale Of Kent

Vale Of Kent did well in the circumstances to finish third in the Listed Paradise Stakes. Usually a front-runner, Mark Johnston's horse missed the break this time and was hampered through the early stages of race, with the result that he had to be restrained in rear. By contrast, his stable companion Maries Diamond flew the start and quickly got over to the favoured far rail, in front of Vale Of Kent.

As well as that, he was very keen through the first two furlongs as Joe Fanning restrained him in behind runners. He seemed to get a little unbalanced too on the run down into the Dip, and he appeared to be a little short of room as Prince Eiji threatened to come over towards him on the rail. It never looked like he was going to get to his stable companion, but he still ran on nicely to take third.

This was Vale Of Kent's first run since last August, so it is legitimate to expect that he will come on for it. He should be better anyway the next time that he can get out of the stalls cleanly and take up a prominent position. He is a tough horse to pass when he can get on the lead, as he proved when he won the Bunbury Cup last year on Newmarket's July Course. He goes well at York too, and at Goodwood, where his record reads 32142, all runs in big-field handicaps. He will be of interest wherever he goes next.

Newmarket, 5^th June 2020

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