14:30 Ascot 22 Jun 2023
Norfolk Stakes
Group 2 | Class 1 | 2YO only
Winner £62,381 - 14 ran
raced far side, always prominent, went 2nd in group before halfway, led inside final 2f, clear final furlong, ran on strongly
raced in far side group, held up in last trio, good headway chasing leaders and switched right 2f out, ridden hung left and hampered rival 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd
slowly into stride, raced in group near side, behind, good headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on to lead group inside final furlong, and went clear in group, not pace of leaders far side
raced far side, quickly away, led, pushed along halfway, headed entering final 2f, hung right and lost 2nd over 1f out, badly hampered 1f out, weakened soon after
raced far side group, held up in rear, some headway near side of group edging right 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
wore hood to post, raced far side, chased leader until pushed along before halfway, chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
raced near side, chased leaders, led group briefly over 1f out, went 2nd in group final 100 yards, no chance with far side
ponied to post, raced near side, prominent, every chance in group 2f out, went 3rd in group inside final 100 yards, no chance with far side
led near side group, ridden inside final 2f, headed 1f out, weakened into 4th in group inside final furlong
raced near side, chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
raced near side, chased leader, pushed along halfway, ridden inside final 2f, soon lost 2nd, weakened inside final furlong
ponied to post, raced in far side group, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, hung right and weakened inside final 2f
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £488.03 |
| CSF | £3,478.24 (16, 7) |
| Tricast | £19,266.60 (16, 7, 4) |
| Win | £151.00 (16) |
| Place | £21.15 (16), £16.85 (7), £1.35 (4) |
| Swinger | £34.30 (4, 7), £70.45 (4, 16), £404.15 (7, 16) |
| Exacta | £5,369.60 (16, 7) |
| Trifecta | £25,166.00 (16, 7, 4) |
Expert Analysis
A massive turn-up in this prestigious race, if slightly easier to make sense of with the not considerable benefit of hindsight (!) It was a truly run race (100.6% race finishing speed) and the form is probably solid enough at a level slightly below the usual winning standard, notwithstanding a few clearly underperforming. The field split into 2 groups, with those drawn 1 to 8 racing centre to far side and the rest centre to stand side, the first 3 coming from the former group but in all likelihood there being no track bias (if anything, some other results during the week suggested nearer the stand side was marginally the better place to be overall).
VALIANT FORCE (107 here, 94 previously) caused a massive upset but had achieved plenty on his debut then been ridden over-aggressively at 6f, whereas he could well be a 5f performer at present. He raced close up on the far side travelling comfortably, quickened to lead over 1f out and ran on for pressure, hanging left near the finish but comfortably on top by then. As a 2-y-o, he would benefit from an overly generous WFA allowance if tackling the Nunthorpe at York, but he will presumably be seen before then anyway.
MALC (102 here, 85 previously) took a big step forward from his debut win at Carlisle, lacking the early pace of some others but running on well from halfway, including for strong pressure. He is quite speedily bred but should have no difficulty in staying 6f.
ELITE STATUS (100 here, 106 previously) disappointed slightly, though it was not easy to get a firm handle on his easy Sandown win, which may have looked a bit better than it was. He chased the pace on the far side, made good headway after 2f out but wandered thereafter until keeping on near the finish. He will probably stay an easy 6f.
HIS MAJESTY (97+ here, 100 previously) ran creditably in the circumstances and may still have more to offer, slowly away and rousted along, in rear on the stand side until good headway over 1f out, edging right but nearest at the finish.
THUNDER BLUE (90 here, 93 previously) showed no shortage of speed dropped to the minimum trip, in front on the far side and disputing it mid-race overall, but headed over 1f out, then hampered and one paced.
DEVIOUS (85 here, 92 previously) lacked pace in this higher grade but stuck to his task to make some late gains, likely to be suited by 6f/7f before long.
REVEILLER (82+ here and previously) was biting off plenty here but showed early dash on the far side before edging right then fading.
MON NA SLIEVE (80 here, 93 previously) showed plenty of speed again, close up on the stand side and going well mid-race, but found little for a rather disappointing effort.
NO NAY METS (77 here, ? previously) was untypical by US-trained standards, not the quickest away and keeping on again after failing to hold a prominent position mid-race.
THE FIXER (75 here, 99 previously) showed good speed before capitulating and has been somewhat hit and miss in his early career to date.
TOCA MADERA (69 here, 85 previously) was up against it and faded after halfway.
SHAYEKH (69 here, 84 previously) showed some dash in first-time cheekpieces before fading.
AMERICAN RASCAL (65 here, ? previously) ran poorly compared to his runaway debut win which brought to mind some of the performances of his dam, Lady Aurelia, missing half a beat at the start but soon close up, carried right 2f out and finding nothing thereafter.
NOCHE MAGICA (54 here, 100 previously) ran as if not right in the end, slowly into stride and in rear but travelling well enough until finding nothing late on.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 14:30 Ascot 22nd Jun 2023
