Ebor meeting eyecatchers: horses to follow from York

There were plenty of horses who caught the eye in defeat at the ultra-competitive Ebor meeting and here are two handicappers, two Group horses and two maidens to follow.

Handicappers

Arecibo
Third, 5½f handicap, Wednesday

Arecibo was given every chance in the 5½f handicap as Danny Tudhope picked a perfect path and delivered the sprinter at the ideal time. However, the four-year-old just flattened out close home, giving the impression – not for the first time – that he will be best suited by the minimum distance and as sharp a test as possible. His exceptional cruising speed is a potent weapon and there are still races to be won.

Arecibo (red jacket) travelled well before flattening out late onCredit: John Grossick

Gibbs Hill
Fourth, 1m4f handicap, Friday

Gibbs Hill had been the subject of an ante-post plunge prior to his eagerly awaited return in the Northumberland Plate but he was extremely reluctant to load and ran as if something was amiss when pulled up at Newcastle. Understandably he was overlooked in the market on his next start at York but he shaped much better in the 1m4f handicap, travelling smoothly into contention before keeping on well to finish fourth. He clearly retains plenty of ability and trainer Roger Varian should be able to unlock further improvement from the lightly raced six-year-old.

Group horses

Elarqam
Third, Juddmonte International, Wednesday

Elarqam has looked an improved performer this season and backed up that impression with an excellent third in the Juddmonte International – a performance considered a career best on Racing Post Ratings.

He was slightly outpaced at a crucial stage and as a consequence met trouble when coming with a sustained challenge inside the final furlong. Granted a clear passage he would have finished even closer and could possibly have been a threat to Japan.

A more aggressive ride will see him in an even better light.

Elarqam (blue and white) stayed on strongly and could yet do betterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Soldier's Call
Runner-up, Nunthorpe Stakes, Friday

Soldier's Call was a top-notch juvenile last season, winning the Windsor Castle, the Flying Childers and going close in the Prix de l'Abbaye and he proved he had trained on well when finishing third to Blue Point in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot in June.

However, his second to Battaash, when he showcased blistering speed to lead the Nunthorpe field, was a career best and marks him down a serious contender for all leading sprints.

Soldier's Call (grey silks) was no match for Battaash but still showed blistering paceCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Two-year-olds

Dubai Mirage
Third, 7f maiden, Friday

The Convivial Maiden Stakes, with a prize fund of £70,000, is the richest race of its type in Britain and as you might expect it attracted a field full of interesting prospects. The winner, Molatham, had his form boosted in no uncertain terms the previous day by Mums Tipple's wide-margin success and he built on his promising debut to strike in a race in which the first three pulled clear.

That trio are fine prospects and have plenty to recommend them but third-placed Dubai Mirage, who was well supported beforehand, appeals as the most likely to benefit markedly from the experience. He made eyecatching headway from further back than the other principals before hanging under pressure. That can easily be forgiven on just his second start – especially on such quick ground – and he is clearly a colt with huge potential.

Pot Of Paint (green cap) made eyecatching late headway on debutCredit: John Grossick

Pot Of Paint
Fourth, 7f maiden, Friday

An unconsidered 66-1 shot in the Convivial Maiden Stakes, the Tom Dascombe-trained Pot Of Paint never threatened to make an impact from the rear but stayed on in taking fashion and should prove extremely difficult to beat in an ordinary maiden. It was a performance of serious promise against such stiff competition on debut.

And a bonus one . . .

Man Of Promise

Man Of Promise did not compete at the Ebor meeting but his standing soared. The two-year-old was sent off as the 10-11 favourite on his debut at Ascot last month and shaped well in third, looking slightly unlucky when impeded close home. That race turned out to be no ordinary maiden however, as it was won by Mums Tipple who looked a Group 1 horse in the making when bolting up at York, while subsequent Convivial winner Molatham was second. The fourth and fifth at Ascot also won next time and it will be interesting to see where trainer Charlie Appleby aims the exciting juvenile.

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