Ratings Update: Siskin survives his biggest test yet

Friday saw the first two-year-old Group 1 of the season take place at the Curragh, with Siskin (up 2lb to 116p) landing the Phoenix Stakes to provide trainer Ger Lyons with his first domestic success at the highest level. Siskin encountered soft ground for the first time in his career and didn’t show any signs of weakness as he handled it well, taking his record to a perfect four wins from four starts.

Challenged strongly by Monarch of Egypt (up 8 lb to 113p) inside the final furlong, the son of First Defence knuckled down to assert close home, with the July Stakes winner Royal Lytham (up 6 lb to 113p) back in third. The winner gave the impression that he’ll stay further when needed, although connections have said that the Middle Park at Newmarket is likely to be the next port of call for this exciting prospect.

What a talent - still unbeaten, Siskin shows class and heart to fight off Monarch Of Egypt in a cracking @keeneland Phoenix Stakes. A first Irish Group 1 for @ctkjockey and @gerlyonsracing 👏 @curraghrace

Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/qLkIsniKde

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 9, 2019

The feature race on Saturday, the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock, was won by Addeybb (remains on 122), who proved at least as good as ever in conditions that he clearly relished. A strong renewal despite the withdrawal of Wissahickon, Addeybb travelled powerfully before forging clear in the final furlong from two lightly raced three-year-olds in Pondus (remains on 117) and Raise You (remains on 113). Connections have seen the winner come up short when previously tried at Group 1 level, but may take their chance again if conditions are similar to Saturday, with the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October appealing as an obvious target.

William Haggas completed a double on the card when the unbeaten Miss O Connor (up 1 lb to 110p) took the listed Dick Hern Stakes. The four-year-old took a while to get to the track, only making her debut in Ireland in May before joining Haggas, and she has wasted no time in repaying her new connections, with it looking like she won’t have any issues of winning in Group company off the back of this performance.

The consistent Red Starlight (remains on 107) followed her home, with the previously unbeaten Feliciana De Vega (remains on 103p) back in third on her seasonal reappearance, giving the form a strong look. Beckett’s charge shaped as if she’d improve for the run fitness wise and is still open to improvement herself.

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The unbeaten Miss O Connor takes the jump to Listed company in her stride for William Haggas and @oismurphy at @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/7J3uP17Bau

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 10, 2019

Perhaps the most notable performance on the card came from Last Empire (up 14 lb to 104p) on her handicap debut. The winner of back-to-back minor events before Saturday, she made light work of her opening BHA mark of 80, winning by four and a half lengths with any amount to spare. She eased clear from two rivals who weren’t handicapped out of things, and connections are entitled to be thinking about trying to get some black type with her now.

Over at Newmarket, Mark Johnston enhanced his good recent record in the Sweet Solera Stakes – now three wins and a second since 2014 – with West End Girl (up 12 lb to 99p) showing a good attitude to get the verdict by a length and quarter from Soffika (up 21 lb to 95p).

With two of the market leaders failing to live up to expectations, the race had little impact on the betting for next year’s 1000 Guineas, but there was plenty to like about the winner’s performance. She looks a straightforward filly who is sure to stay at least a mile, having made all and found extra from a furlong out to assert near the finish here, giving connections the option of returning to Newmarket for the Fillies’ Mile at the backend of the season.

Sunday saw English and Irish raiders heading overseas in search of Group 1 glory, with the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville the preferred option for Romanised (remains on 122), who ultimately didn’t need to improve to record a second career win at the top level after his Irish Guineas success last term. He saw off the three-year-olds Shaman (up 2 lb to 117), who was taking on older rivals for the first time in his career, and Line of Duty (up 5 lb to 116) in good style, but he'll almost certainly find life tougher in future contests at this level.

Proper horse! Romanised wins the Group 1 Prix Du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois for @wjlee24786 and @kencondonracing at @fgdeauville… pic.twitter.com/RonMfhswkE

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 11, 2019

Two English runners headed over to Germany for the Grosser Preis Von Berlin, but both came up short. The winner, French King (up 4 lb to 125), quickened clear after being the last off the bridle, again benefiting from the good placement of trainer Henri-Alex Pantall to record his fourth win from as many starts this season. Communique (remains on 123) dictated affairs but had no answer to the winner, with Charlie Appleby’s Old Persian (remains on 126) another short head back in third.

On Thursday, 2018 Irish Derby winner Latrobe (remains of 119) returned from six weeks off with a first win of the season in the Ballyroan Stakes. His class was the telling factor in the contest having been in behind a steady pace and travelling strongly. The second Guaranteed (up 1 lb to 112) and third Broad Street (up 10lb to 112p) both improved on their ratings going into the race, suggesting that it was one of the better renewals of recent times.

Elsewhere in the UK on Tuesday, Last Look (up 14 lb to 105), a full sister to stallion Farhh, made light work of a penalty in a minor contest at Nottingham and could yet scale the heights that her pedigree suggested she might. She pulled two lengths clear of another lightly-raced sort, with a further 15 lengths back to the third, and it wouldn’t be optimistic to think that she can hold her own in pattern company off the back of this performance.