Ratings Update: Hamada continues to be fruitful

Newbury

The opener at Newbury, the listed Denton Stakes, looked as if it would concern two unbeaten runners in the form of Boitron (up 8 lb to 110p) and Antonia de Vega, but with the latter a non-runner, it became a more straightforward task for the Hannon runner. Whilst only one of his serious rivals was at their best, Boitron proved to be a class apart, taking this step up in class in his stride and producing a smart performance on just his third career start. He has some high-profile entries for the remainder of the season, including in the Dewhurst and the Royal Lodge, and he’s likely to be a big player with more to come from him yet, particularly considering that he will stay at least a mile. Dutch Treat (up 12 lb to 100, loses p) has improved in each of her runs to date, and produced a useful performance to finish second. She wouldn’t have to improve much more to win at this level back against her own sex, and is worth keeping an eye on.

The Geoffrey Freer Stakes pitched the established against the unexposed, and the market sided with the latter, preferring the rapidly improving pair of Hamada (up 6 lb to 118p) and Raymond Tusk (up 2 lb to 114) over both Dal Harraild and Algometer – a preference which proved to be spot on, with the latter two failing to deliver. Hamada arrived on the back of a four-timer which spanned over two years, and was particularly strong in the betting, taking the step up to pattern level in his stride, winning readily. His win at Newmarket last month pitched him into contention for the Ebor – he has entries for both that and the Irish Leger Trial at the Curragh on Saturday – but he could well be heading for even bigger and better things, with a tilt at the Melbourne Cup a serious possibility. Raymond Tusk was two-and-a-half lengths back in second and kept on well, leaving the impression that he would stay further; he remains with potential after just five starts and he will be an interesting runner in the St Leger next month.

Hamada sails home to win the Geoffrey Freer

Watch LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/MIbrxmMybn

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 18, 2018

Newbury’s third race, a Class 3 handicap over seven furlongs, looked competitive enough on paper, though was hardly a good fit for the feature handicap on the principal card on a Saturday. It was won for the second year running by Squats (up 8 lb to 103), who made the most of an 8 lb lower mark to return to form. The one to take out of the race, however, could well be the fourth-placed Black Bess (remains on 99), who did easily the best of those that raced prominently. Her turf mark is high enough, but she’s 7 lb lower on the all-weather, and there are races to be won with her.

The Hungerford Stakes generally struggles to live up to its mantle as one of the top seven furlong races in the UK, falling between the Lennox and the City of York Stakes, and several disappointed on Saturday, particularly the fifth-placed Gustav Klimt (down 1 lb to 121), who looked to have been found a good opportunity. As such, Sir Dancelot (up 4 lb to 123) was able to follow up his win in the Lennox, and did so readily. His options moving forward include the Park Stakes and the Group 1 Prix Foret, and he’s likely to give a good account in either or both of those.

Newmarket

Any form involving Calyx is proving to be very strong indeed, and it was given a further boost at Newmarket on Saturday by Khaadem (up 23 lb to 91P), who was third behind Calyx on debut at the same course in June. He returned after a 10-week break to open his account in impressive fashion, only shown the whip a couple of times and eased towards the line, and it was particularly impressive how he quickened away from his rivals over a furlong out; he certainly has the potential to make an impact in a much higher grade, particularly considering his smart pedigree (brother Log Out Island was second in the Mill Reef and won the Redcar 2-y-o Trophy in 2015). Khaadem is entered in the Mill Reef and Middle Park and rates as a fine prospect. Both of the placed horses, Aquanura (79p) and Mawsool (75P) shaped well on their debuts, and both are sure to progress and win races.

Ripon

The Great St Wilfrid was, as you’d expect, a highly-competitive renewal, and one which proved to advantage those who were up with the pace from an early stage, with hold-up horses finding it hard to make up ground in such a frenetic contest. It was won by Gunmetal (up 10 lb to 115), who recovered from a blip in the Stewards’ Cup to continue his impressive renaissance for David Barron. It's rare to win these high-end handicaps by the margin he did, albeit from pole position, and as such he’s now knocking on the door of pattern races. The third-placed runner Growl (up 2 lb to 107) has had a fine fortnight, and produced an excellent effort to occupy the same position as he did in the Stewards’ Cup two weeks earlier. He will seemingly head for the Ayr Gold Cup next, a race in which he finished as runner-up in 2016, and will do so with great momentum.

Deauville

Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Morny had a very British feel to it, with six of the nine runners trained in Britain. Leading colts Advertise and Calyx were both missing for differing reasons, and as such the fillies came to the fore in this, with Pretty Pollyanna (up 3 lb to 118) and Signora Cabello (up 7 lb to 115) pulling clear of the field. The winner provided Michael Bell with a second win 24 years after another filly Hoh Magic, and proved herself to be the best two-year-old filly around at present, for all that she was pushed a lot closer than she was in the Duchess of Cambridge. She has several glamorous entries for the remainder of the season, and will be a key player wherever she goes. Signora Cabello improved again on her first start in Group 1 company and emerged with plenty of credit. The fact she pulled clear of the remainder was pleasing, and there are plenty of good races to be won with her moving forward.

Pretty Pollyanna wins the Group 1 Darley Prix Morny for Michael Bell & Silvestre De Sousa in the famous Gredley colours. pic.twitter.com/gJxwv6q6ym

— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) August 19, 2018

The Prix Romanet was a smart contest, though several of the fancied runners didn’t feature as promised, including Rhododendron (remains on 121), who went amiss around the home turn when holding every chance. The French-trained Nonza (up 11 lb to 118) took the step up from listed to Group 1 level in her stride, providing both her trainer and her jockey with their first successes at this level. Her dam's half-sister Terre A Terre won the Prix de l'Opera and that would seem her likely target in the autumn. Urban Fox (remains on 117) ran up to her best this time, only finding a rapid improver too good, and will continue to be competitive in similar contests.