Ratings Update: Safe cracker!

As is ever the case in the build-up to the marquee events of British and Irish horse racing, with Royal Ascot just around the corner, there was something of a lull in proceedings last week.

Haydock’s feature races were a pair of Group 3s, the Pinnacle Stakes and John of Gaunt Stakes, with the tough and genuine Klassique (up 1 lb to 114) handling the testing ground well and bouncing back to her best to gain a first pattern success, relishing the emphasis on stamina in the process. In contrast, it's possible that such testing ground as this wasn’t ideal for runner-up True Self (twice beaten and below form on heavy ground over hurdles), who drops to 114 from 115p.

The John of Gaunt lost plenty of its intrigue with Mankib blowing the start, but it was still a solid race and the thriving winner Safe Voyage (remains on 118) quite readily accounted for a placed pair who are well established at this level; the finishing sectional was quite fast and a handy position did seem optimum.

ICYMI: 4 wins in 4 starts at @haydockraces as Safe Voyage won the Betway John Of Gaunt Stakes pic.twitter.com/7y28e7TxmS

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 9, 2019

Safe Voyage shouldn’t be dismissed as just a Haydock specialist (now 4/4 at the track); he'll probably aim for a Group 2 next and if the ground is softer than good then he'll certainly merit respect in even better company.

Elsewhere on the card, Maid In India showed improved form (up 7 lb to 108) to land the listed Achilles Stakes. She goes very well when fresh (has won first time out each of her three seasons) and on testing ground, so is one to note under those conditions in the future. Came From The Dark (up 14 lb to 91) showed much improved form to get off the mark on his handicap debut, for all he was seen to good effect on the day chasing the best of the pace, while Mind The Crack (up 8 lb to 94p) beat some underperforming rivals in the opener but is clearly on the up himself.

Beverley’s big day included the Hilary Needler, which was won in convincing fashion by Liberty Beach (up 16 lb to 92p). While the form of this race tends to be no better than fairly useful these days, connections are entitled to be going up in grade. Neither of the placed horses were seen to best effect, Rose of Kildare (remains on 84p) stumbling leaving her stall while Moon of Love (82p) twice got into a barging match.

The finish of the Brian Yeardley Two-Year-Old Trophy was fought out by two useful colts, Summer Sands (up 4 lb to 93p) that bit more at home than the runner-up Oh Purple Reign (unchanged on 95p) at the trip, though he was also in receipt of weight, both with their best days ahead of them.

Summer Sands wins the Truckingby Brian Yeardley Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes for @RichardFahey

Oh Purple Reign finished a close second pic.twitter.com/nKY4WcG66E

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 8, 2019

Over at Newmarket, the now eight-year-old Red Galileo (up 5 lb to 117) rolled back the years (in a first-time hood) to gain just his third career win, not so many up-and-comers in this field as there'd been at York (notably strong form) last time.

Given Calyx had won the novice last year and Glorious Journey had won a division in 2017, it’s worth noting the performance of Visinari (106p) who scored in a remarkably good time, pulling a long way clear with the favourite Ottoman Court (up 21 lb to 93p) from the rest of the field. The winner is now the highest-rated juvenile seen so far this season in Britain and Ireland. The Mark Johnston yard doubled up later on the card with Gavistas (up 8 lb to 98p) who led home a trio in this good-quality three-year-old handicap who are all very much going the right way; the form is very solid

On Sunday, the Perth Gold Cup included four Southern raiders but in the end nothing could get by front-running course regular Indian Temple (up 2 lb to 141). Trained in Northumberland by Tim Reed, the winner proved at least as good as ever to win on this card for a third year in a row, proving his stamina for three miles once and for all. Van Gogh du Granit (141 from 137) ran his best race yet in a first-time tongue strap, just bumping into a game rival, while the third Dragon d’Estruval (142 from 130p) came from further back than the front two.

Elsewhere on the card, Shanroe’s (now 110+ from 105) owners may have to resist an offer or two after he completed a rare bumper hat-trick, bolstering the growing impression he's out of the ordinary. Nietzsche (133p) jumped adequately enough on his chasing debut, in what turned into a match with Caius Marcius (136 from 130+) after the lifeless performance of Global Jackpot. The winner’s rider always appeared confident on the run-in, and though Nietzsche lacks the scope to prove much better than he was over hurdles, he’s sure to win more races in this sphere, especially if kept to similarly undemanding fences.

Sunday’s action at Goodwood was notable for another likeable performance from Nuits St Georges (up 3 lb to 88), despite those in behind finishing in a bunch, and Litigious, who is rated 89p after a six-length debut win from stablemate Merry Vale (77p) who in turn was five lengths clear of the remainder. The winner is bred to stay well and in excellent hands, so expect plenty of improvement as she goes up in trip.

Over in France, the Prix la Barka was won by Mr Adjudicator (remains on 156), giving his trainer Willie Mullins a sixth win in the last eight years. The race is a consolation prize after the Grande Course de Haies nowadays, though only the first two had actually contested that race last month, with Mr Adjudicator turning the tables on last year's winning stablemate Bapaume (down 6 lb to 156) from three weeks ago over this shorter trip.

Willie Mullins does it again! Mr Adjudicator made it four wins in a row in the Prix La Barka for the Master of Closutton at Auteuil this afternoon, and it was some performance 🙌 🇫🇷 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/9QdobKCnBj

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 9, 2019

Mr Adjudicator is potentially well handicapped on the Flat, running off marks in the 70s when last seen in that sphere two years ago, and he currently holds a Northumberland Plate entry.

In terms of timefigures, the combination of average-at-best racing and significant rain spread across the UK and Ireland (adjustments are made for the ground, but fewer horses act on extremes of going) meant that there were no real standout performances, though it’s worth noting the substance that is added to Micro Manage’s 12-length romp at the Curragh by a 108-timefigure. He made a mockery of his mark to win with any amount in hand, a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper, and will take plenty of beating wherever he turns up next