The ground proved to be very testing in the final few weeks of the Flat season with most meetings taking place on soft or heavy ground, Newbury’s Horris Hill meeting at the end of October, in particular, looked very hard work for some inexperienced two-year-olds.
GROUP/LISTED RACES
The final Group 1 races of the year in Europe were held at Doncaster and Saint-Cloud in France on October 24.
The Criterium International over 7f at Saint-Cloud was the first of the three Group 1 races and it attracted six runners, two from the UK, one from Ireland and three from France. The foreign raiders dominated the market with Jadoomi bidding for back to back wins in France following his easy win at Longchamp on Arc weekend. La Barrosa, a narrow but comfortable winner at Newmarket in Group 3 company on his previous start, was second in the market for Charlie Appleby, while Van Gogh, fast-finishing second in the Autumn Stakes, was third favourite for Aidan O’Brien.
Van Gogh ran out an impressive four-length winner, held up in the early part of the race, he made progress with two and a half furlongs to go, taking the lead from Normandy Bridge a furlong and a half from the finish, staying on strongly on the heavy ground to win easily from Normandy Bridge who held on second, a neck in front of Jadoomi who had every chance. La Barrosa travelled well but failed to pick up on the heavy ground and wasn’t knocked about by James Doyle, last of the six runners.
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHARK'S GOT A BIT BETWEEN HIS TEETH
Alex Gifford reckons Hewick will be ready and refreshed for the National after his Gold Cup absence
THEY'RE BACKING LOSERS AND WE'LL PAY THE PRICE
Rolf Johnson blasts unelected officials meddling with gambling regulations while the 'impotent' BHA stand aside
THERE'S BOUNTI IN IT FOR BOUGHEY
Dave Youngman does the rounds on the gallops at headquarters and spotlights a promising new crop
SUMMER DAYS FOR ALL WEATHER TRIO
It's cash bonuses all round for the stars of rubber and sand, writes Ian Heitman
FOLLOW THE VAN
Paul Jacobs is keeping faith with Gavin Cromwell and last year's Grand National runner-up
IT'S SAFETY FIRST BUT NOBLE'S MY WINNER
Sky Racing frontman Robert Cooper casts a wistful eye back on old-school Nationals - but he's fixed on Yeats
GET SET FOR AN EASTER CRACKER!
Karl Hedley picks out runners and riders who can shine in the aftermath of Cheltenham
COR BLIMEY! WHAT A CRACKING CLIMAX
Ben Morgan looks to Cheltenham stars Slade Steel and Corach Rambler to star on Aintree's biggest day
BANBOU TAKES A BOW
Frero can top 'em in the Topham for Venetia Williams
DAWNING TO OPEN FOR IN-FORM DAN
Ben Morgan sees the Skelton brothers getting off to a winning start on Day 1