Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton did well to win the Listed Hill Of Tara Stakes at Navan on Sunday. Held up early on by Ryan Moore and still third last as they turned for home, he actually dropped back to last as he waited for racing room passing the three-furlong marker. With no racing room developing among horses, his rider angled him towards the outside and, still only ninth passing the furlong marker, he showed an impressive turn of foot to pass his seven rivals and get up to win by a nose.
This was a race in which the early pace was not strong, as evidenced by the winner's finishing speed of over 108% of overall speed. It was difficult for the hold-up horses to get into it. Aidan O'Brien's horse impressed with his willing attitude and his turn of foot. He was fastest of all through each of the last two furlongs, and he was 0.45secs faster than his fastest rival through the final furlong. Well beaten in the Lingfield Derby Trial on his previous run, the Camelot colt obviously appreciated this drop back down in trip to nine furlongs, and he proved that he had the pace for this distance, getting up to beat a highly talented four-year-old in Hotazhell, a 117-rated individual who raced more prominently from early. Fourth in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on his final run as a juvenile last October, Isaac Newton will be of interest now when he steps back up into Group company. This nine-furlong trip obviously suits him well, and he should be effective over a mile and over 10 furlongs as well. He holds an entry in the Group 3 International Stakes at The Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, and that could be an ideal race for him.
Navan, 7th June 2026
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