Ratings Update: Take Cover does it again

With Ayr’s three-day Gold Cup meeting abandoned due to a waterlogged track, the Mill Reef Stakes was the feature race on Saturday and, though there was no Harry Angel or Ribchester on show at Newbury, it was still a good renewal with lots of the juvenile pattern form to this point represented. The three that came to the fore had been placed in the Acomb, Gimcrack and Richmond respectively during the summer, with Acomb runner-up James Garfield (111 from 106) coming out on top, putting up a smart performance to win by three quarters of a length from Invincible Army (down 6 lb to 108). James Garfield seemed well suited by the drop to six furlongs, which gives him options, but connections afterwards mooted the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf as his next possible target. Nebo (up 1 lb to 106) and Lansky (98p from 94p) finished third and fourth respectively, the former bouncing back to his best, while the Jeremy Noseda-trained Lansky looked unsuited by the drop back to six furlongs, and he remains open to improvement going forward.

Desert Encounter (remains on 121), who had finished third to Ulysses in the Eclipse on his penultimate start, didn’t need to be at his best to win a strong-looking renewal of the Free Legacy Cup (formally known as the Arc Trial), but he was value for more than the neck winning margin. Dropped out the back travelling powerfully, he readily picked his way through from the back before not doing a tap once in front, though he was always holding the runner-up Second Step (down 2 lb to 118). Desert Encounter is likely to have one more run this year, with options abroad or possibly the Champion Stakes on these shores, and given his general consistency he should continue to give a good account for all that winning a British Group 1 is probably beyond him. Second Step deserves extra credit for his consistency this term, not out of the first three all year, and he has seemingly been revitalised by a change of scenery after an underwhelming 2016.

The World Trophy attracted a much bigger field than usual, and a strong one too, by Group 3 standards at least, and it saw the very likable veteran Take Cover (up 2 lb to an almost career-high 120) blitz the field to record his third win of the season.  The speed which he showed when exiting the stalls was quite remarkable in a field that contained some of the fastest horses around, and that arguably made all the difference. He's only once done himself justice in three attempts in the Abbaye (beaten just over a length when sixth in 2014), but he couldn't go there in any better nick this time round and will make a bold bid if in the same sort of form. Cotai Glory (remains on 117) won a much weaker renewal of this race in 2016 and he ran up to his best in second. He is yet to get his head in front this season but his ability remains intact. Muthmir (remains on 123) carried a penalty but shaped as though back in form after 11 weeks off, beaten one and a half lengths in third.

Away from the pattern races, Emaraaty (100P from 82P), who boasts an excellent pedigree, won the second division of the novice event in most impressive fashion. He was a big eye-catcher on debut at Sandown earlier this month, and clearly learnt a lot, winning with stacks more in hand here than just over two lengths to the second suggests. The Timefigure was also excellent, and Emaraaty is the type to improve significantly still, especially next year, bred to come into his own when tackling middle distances.

Over in Ireland there was a good-quality card at Naas on Sunday which included the Group 2 Beresford Stakes (moved from the Curragh while that track undergoes an extensive facelift). Saxon Warrior (111p from 92P) confirmed the impression he made on his debut when winning by two and a half lengths from his stablemate Delano Roosevelt (up 3 lb to 105p) to keep his unbeaten record intact and continue Aidan O’Brien’s stranglehold on the race. Saxon Warrior has now put himself firmly in next year’s classic picture (joint-favourite for the Derby) and he is a very exciting prospect.

Earlier on the card Karl Burke’s Quiet Reflection (remains on 122) bounced back to form returned to soft ground when winning the Renaissance Stakes in impressive fashion by two and three quarter lengths from Alphabet (112 from 112?). Quiet Reflection hasn’t had much go right for her this season, but she is a Group 1 performer at best, so she was entitled to win as she did, and will likely head to Champions Day at Ascot next. Burke also enjoyed success with his two-year-old filly Ellthea (107 from 93) who showed much improved form to make the breakthrough in pattern company in the C. L. & M. F. Weld Park Stakes, beating Sizzling (remains on 101) by two and three quarter lengths. It was a below-par renewal of this Group 3, and Ellthea was well positioned on the front end as the race went, with none of those held up ever landing a blow.

The Loughbrown Stakes was also a sub-standard renewal and a poor turnout to boot, with only four runners going to post. Willie Mullins’s Renneti (remains 116) made the most of a good opportunity at this level to resume winning ways, travelling fluently throughout but not having to be at his best to beat Stars Over The Sea (remains on 109) by five lengths. He’s clearly an improved performer this year, and the Long Distance Cup at Ascot is reportedly his next target.