Ratings Update: Masar sparkles in Solario

A fairly low-key weekend of domestic action was lit up by Masar in the Solario Stakes at Sandown, and his two-length win was the best performance seen in the race on Timeform ratings since Kingman won the 2013 renewal. Masar, who is now rated 110p (from 106p), looked to have done well physically since his third behind September in the Chesham at Royal Ascot 70 days prior and that showed in the strength of his performance. He will stay at least a mile and, with more to come, would be well worth his place in one of the top end-of-season two-year-old races (his trainer mentioned the Royal Lodge as a potential target). A couple in behind remain with potential, notably Purser (99p from 88P), who built on his promising maiden win to finish fourth without being unduly punished, and Vintager (97p from 95p), who perhaps needs more of a stamina test.

The other group race on Sandown’s card was the Atalanta Stakes, and it was a good renewal featuring classic-placed Nathra (down 1 lb to 113), who ran creditably in second behind the improved winner Aljazzi (117 from 113). The winner continued her progressive four-year-old season, building on her Royal Ascot second back off a short break, which is clearly important for her. The Sun Chariot at Newmarket in just over a month’s time could well be next, and provided the break in between is long enough for her, she could well be a contender given the progress she is making this term.

Take Cover (118 from 117) took advantage of a drop in grade when getting back to winning ways in a competitive running of the Beverley Bullet, beating Final Venture (down 2 lb to 117) as he had done in the same grade at York earlier in the season. There were a couple of valuable handicaps elsewhere on Saturday, with My Reward (105 from 104) taking a fairly messy renewal of the Chester Stakes under a positive ride. The winner was seen to good effect as a result, while Mark Johnston’s Cape Coast (remains on 103) conceded first run and remains with potential. Johnston had more luck in Chelmsford’s feature handicap later that evening, taking the prize with the consistent Masham Star (112 from 109), who led home a one-two for the yard and gained a nice reward for some good performances in competitive handicaps this season.