Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A COOL CAT Royal Ascot-bound Mascat one of six stars Beckett hopes can lift his season
Showed promise with a debut fifth at Newmarket in September before placed efforts ( favourite both times) at Kempton and Chelmsford.
We felt she should have won last year but it’s worth noting that her dam improved with age – she didn’t run at two and won a Listed race for us at four.
Evening Spirit is now qualified for handicaps, and I think she starts off on a decent mark.
Earned rave reviews with eight-length score in a fast time at Newmarket in
October before running fifth to Kameko when favourite for the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy – switched from Doncaster to Newcastle – the following month.
There’s no doubt he was impressive at Newmarket first time out and his inexperience told at Newcastle. He is a late foal and he should improve throughout the year, but we are going to give him a chance to see what he can do in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.
Much to like about his 33-1 first-time-out second to Palace Pier at Sandown in August and duly went one better at Newmarket the following month.
He’s been working well. What he does in the mornings certainly suggests he will be up to stakes level. He will go to Royal Ascot for the Hampton Court Stakes over 10 furlongs but I think he will get a mile and a half on fast ground.
Sent off at 8-1 for a novice stakes over a mile at Newmarket in October and impressed with a length-and-a-quarter success from Secret Victory.
The ground was very soft at Newmarket when she won, but her pedigree suggests fast ground will suit her well. She certainly should get a trip.
Got off to a winning start on soft ground at Haydock in September but fifth of seven on heavy terrain when upped to Listed level at Newmarket in November.
She won despite being green at Haydock and still looked short of experience at Newmarket. She will prefer it faster, and will stay well, with the Lingfield Oaks Trial her first assignment.
(2bf Invincible Spirit - Barshiba) Dam a high-class performer for David Elsworth and owner Jeff Smith.
She’s from a good family and I like the way she goes. You probably won’t see her until late summer – about August time – and she will probably start off over seven furlongs.