speed figures
Mike Francis was impressed by Kevin Ryan’s flyer
Mike Francis updates the list after all the high-class action in France
FRANCE held much of the classy Flat racing last month and that’s reflected in the top speed figures. HELLO YOUMZAIN was the top two-year-old performer thanks to his convincing victory in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. That was over 6f but his future could be over slightly further and the soft ground definitely suited again.
The Arc was billed as Europe’s classiest contest of the season and the clock seems to agree with all the principals recording high speed figures.
Winner ENABLE charted a 114, with WALDGEIST 115 and CLOTH OF STARS 116 by virtue of them carrying a little more weight than the winner. SEA OF CLASS weighed in with a 113 and looks set to contest all the Group 1s over middle distances next season given the chance.
We shall see whether the chance of winning an unpreceBdented third Arc will tempt connections of Enable to keep her in training. Let’s hope so because it would be exciting to see how she goes next season.
On this side of the Channel, MR LUPTON clocked a speedy 112 when winning at Newbury on September 22 and went close to following up at Ascot on October 6. He’s had a busy season but, given he likes fast ground, he may get the chance to notch another win before the campaign ends.
AZANO looks another juvenile to keep an eye out for after winning by five lengths at Yarmouth on October 15, recording a handy 112 in the pro- cess. That was over 7f but he looks capable of rating higher still when tackling a mile and looks a nice prospect in the care of John Gosden.
BROKEN SPEAR has had a lot of racing for a young horse and there’s a chance it will take its toll. But he ran his best race of the campaign when scoring at York on October 12 with a speed figure of 108. He is likely to have a hefty handicap mark as a three-yearold so could go back to the well this term.
An old favourite — MUNTADAB — rolled back the years to score well at Leicester on October 16, earning a solid 101.
He gets on well with 5lb claimer Cameron Noble (who is one to watch too) and won with something in hand.