20th-Aug-2014

Postponed is over-priced in my book at 6/1. After a promising reappearance in the Craven Stakes, he was in danger of becoming a slightly disappointing horse, tending to get outpaced at key stages in his races before keeping on again late on. But the step up in trip beyond a mile and a quarter really seemed to suit him in the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton last month, and he came right away from his field through the final quarter-mile, thriving for the extra distance.

Runner-up Double Bluff has given that form a boost by winning a good handicap at Glorious Goodwood since, and the manner in which Postponed powered through the final furlong suggests that he could improve again for this further step up in trip to a mile and a half. His dam’s only win was over this trip.

Luca Cumani’s three-year-olds can often progress plenty once they come to themselves and start to flourish and, although on official ratings Postponed has a lot to find with the favourite, it may be that he is closer to him than it seems.

I am also backing Snow Sky. He is also improving and still appears to be an under-rated horse. A convincing winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial earlier in the season, in which he beat two of today’s rivals, Hartnell and Red Galileo, he then shaped a good deal better than the bare result in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot when sitting closer than ideal to a strong pace. It was an advantage to come from well off the pace in that race, and he fared best of the prominent racers.

From there he went on to win the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood three weeks ago, probably winning with a fair bit more in hand than the bare result suggests. He was coltish and warm in the paddock beforehand, and he was weak in the market before the race, but he travelled into the race well and he picked up nicely to go and pass Somewhat, effectively winning his race, before he appeared to idle close home.

Teddy Grimthorpe said after that race that the Great Voltigeur was his next target, and a mile and a half and ground on the quick side of good appear to be Snow Sky’s optimum conditions. Given that he has been quite immature, it is reasonable to expect more improvement, and it could be that he will be seen to better effect held onto for slightly longer than he was at Goodwood.

POSTPONED WON (ADV 6/1 [R4], SP 5/2), SNOW SKY 2ND (ADV 8/1 [R4], SP 7/2)