Absolutely So

22nd-Aug-2014

Absolutely So was not as free as the leader Ertijaal was in the Bunbury Cup, but he was still ridden aggressively. Racing handily from early, he was asked for his effort two furlongs out, and he actually struck the front at the furlong pole. That was far enough out in a seven-furlong handicap on easy ground in which they had gone fast from early. It set it up for Heaven’s Guest, who was able to catch him, but he still kept on well to retain second place.

He did disappoint when really well-backed for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot on his previous run – remarkably, he was backed in to 4/1 favourite for that 28-runner handicap – when we had him on side, but that was his first run at Ascot, you can always forgive a horse a poor run there, especially at Royal Ascot, especially on really fast ground. On his previous run, he had been really impressive in winning a seven-furlong handicap at Goodwood.

Seven furlongs is his trip, he is shaping like a specialist seven-furlong performer, and he has raced just 10 times in his life, so he still has lots of scope for progression. His best form is on easy ground, but the only time that he has raced on fast ground was in the Wokingham, so we don’t know that he does not go on fast ground. Also, they had 2.2mm of rain at York last night, so the ground shouldn’t be too fast. He should be fine on it and, as long as he is, and ridden a little more patiently today than he was at Newmarket, he could go very close.

ABSOLUTELY SO WON (ADV 9/1, SP 6/1)

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