No explosion but unbeaten Pinatubo still too hot to handle in Dewhurst

Quietly unassuming off track but devastating on it, Pinatubo finished his juvenile campaign the way he started with victory in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

The unbeaten two-year-old ends 2019 with a perfect six-from-six record, as a dual Group 1 winner and the one they all have to beat in next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

Those hoping for a replica of his nine-length demolition job at the Curragh in the National Stakes will have been disappointed by a more mundane two-length victory, but the colt's latest success was just as impressive for different reasons.

Pinatubo may be named after an active volcano, but to watch him in the parade ring he is dormant. The son of Shamardal would be difficult to pick in a crowd, but when the lights go up he erupts.

"You can't get excited about him in the mornings," trainer Charlie Appleby said. "He just goes about his business. In the preliminaries he was just sauntering around and I said to Will [Buick] 'you'd think he was an old horse walking around in a handicap'. He doesn't exactly fill you full of confidence coming into Group 1s but, as long as he keeps turning up in the afternoons, I'm not too worried what he does in the mornings."

He may be laconic at home, and all the way up to the point when the stalls open, but once the race is on, the switch is flicked and Pinatubo exudes controlled aggression.

Having travelled behind the leaders, at the two-furlong pole Pinatubo had suddenly loomed up on the hind quarters of Arizona. It was not blink-and-you-miss-it speed, rather he had sidled up to the leader efficiently and poised to strike.

Pinatubo: maintained his unbeaten record with a two-length victory at NewmarketCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Arizona, who had finished over nine lengths behind Pinatubo at the Curragh, kept the winner honest, and for a stride or two stood firm as the 1-3 favourite began his attack.

But inside the final furlong Pinatubo asserted. He was never stronger than at the line, pulling away to prove there is a tough core to complement the exciting pace displayed on previous outings.

"He's a special horse," Appleby added. "He showed great courage and had to dig deep. Will gave him a fantastic ride and once it came to the fight he wasn't going to lie down. People had asked why we were running again and were we taking a big risk with a horse who had already had five runs.

"I want someone with experience who's been there and he's been there when it comes to a dogfight. He's been up hill and down dale and has brought a wealth of experience to the table as well as an engine."

In the wake of Enable's failed Arc bid, Flat racing may need a leading light if she is retired. For the moment, that is Pinatubo and Appleby acknowledged the horse's importance to a wider audience.

“It’s great for the public," the trainer said. "We all saw last weekend what it meant with Enable and unfortunately results like that can happen. Sometimes, when you are in this industry, you don’t realise what it means to the public. We are all behind this horse and thankfully he has gone and kept the dream alive for the winter."

Sheikh Mohammed with Pinatubo after the Dewhurst StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Pinatubo's performance was the perfect end to a spectacular week for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin. Some epic multimillion-pound sales ring scraps down the road at Tattersalls between Godolphin and racing's other superpower, Coolmore, mostly went in the former's favour and those results carried over to the feature race of the Future Champions meeting.

Sheikh Mohammed, who gave a little dance of delight on the winner's rostrum, said: "When you win like that and show so much courage, it's very pleasing. I have seen him many times and we all love him. Every year you have a favourite horse and we hope we can find one like him again next year.

"He is a very good horse who will go on to produce good horses. The Shamardals are very fast. I will be looking forward to seeing him next year."

Arizona's trainer Aidan O'Brien was magnanimous in defeat, making sure to shake the hands of his conquerors. As well as the runner-up, O'Brien also saddled the third, Wichita, and said of the pair: "Arizona and Wichita have run well but I don't think they were in love with the soft ground.

"Hopefully they are back here for the 2,000 Guineas next year as we are hopeful they'll get a mile. Take nothing away from the winner and hopefully we can take him on again next year."

All things being equal, Pinatubo will be ready for the fight again.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news