This weekend saw the end of Deauville’s summer meeting. Whilst the ground at the track is in desperate need of a break after some very unseasonal weather, in the main the quality of the racing has held a high standard throughout.
Telecaster
Hughie Morrison’s Colt has final come of age. His win on Sunday demonstrated that he is at last the finished article, as he showed a calm and mature attitude to make all in the Group 2 Grand Prix Deauville. He is now 2 for 2 under Christophe Soumillon, whose calm riding style clearly suits Telecaster. Less than 15 months after he blew his brains in the early stages of the Epsom Derby, Telecaster made all, in testing ground, setting his own fractions and kicking clear in the straight. This time last year such a racing style would have been unthinkable. This was by some way a career best performance. He is entered in the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe and after this weekend connections might be tempted. However, I do add a note of caution, his trainer has already stated that there are other possible targets for him this autumn and the field he would likely face at Paris Longchamp is considerably stronger than those who lined up on Sunday. He is now a Group 1 horse, but an Arc Winner may well prove a step too far.
San Isidro
This year’s crop of juveniles has lacked a stand-out performer so far. We have not seen any 2-year-olds in my opinion who could dominate next year’s classics. However, there have been some encouraging performances in recent weeks and San Isidro moved up the pecking order with a very impressive win on Sunday. This was a really impressive performance to make all in this conditions event, with a solid time on the clock to back it up. Whilst he will need to step up in grade to confirm his promise, there is every chance he will do so. One to watch.
Master Dino
In truth, he did little more than he needed to, beating a field of far inferior rivals, with much bigger targets later in the season being the aim. However, he confirmed that he is fit and well and at this stage, looks the most likely winner of the Grand Steeple at Auteuil in October. The horse has been hyped up ever since his win at Plumpton in 2019, when he put clear daylight between himself and the now sadly departed Knocknanuss. Whilst he is very talented and possibly the most promising chaser in France, speculation as to which race he might win at Cheltenham next season is a bit premature to my eye. With his connections, he is likely to remain in France, though a UK raid may be on the cards, I can’t see him moving here permanently and I have no intention of opening my Antepost on to him any time soon.
Breathtaking Look
This was a very welcome winner for the Stuart Williams yard and given her consistent form, nobody could say that Breathtaking Look didn’t deserve to take this prize. However, what her win really shows is the value of a careful and considered approach to the pattern program. Taking the winner out of this race and we are left with the equivalent of a 0-95 handicap. She took the race with ease and won a very sizeable pot, but the form is perhaps not the strongest and full marks to her trainer for finding the opportunity.
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