Neil Morrice takes a look at four UK dark horses who could impress in the coming weeks. Featured here are BAHEER, FERROUS PASSENGER and MR STRUTTER!
FERROUS Newmarket, 6th May
FERROUS didn’t quite live up to expectations in this final race on Guineas day, but the form has been given several boosts. The iron grey colt put in a pleasing piece of work with the older Chairmanoftheboard on grass in midweek, and is of considerable interest if heading to Haydock Park on Thursday, because he’s a lot better than he’s shown.
PASSENGER York, 17th May
More than one horse has been beaten in the Dante Stakes before going on to lift the Derby, including the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Workforce. Stoute could be forgiven for thinking that lightning might strike twice at Epsom on Saturday week granted the luckless run experienced by PASSENGER. On only a second career start and first round a bend, the colt travelled like a dream but throughout the final quarter mile he was persistently denied a gap. Every way Richard Kingscote went the door remained shut, and by the time he switched his mount to the inner the birds had well and truly flown. Owners the Niarchos Family will surely pay the fee to supplement PASSENGER into the premier Classic, because even though he didn’t win, his was the most eyecatching trial of them all.
MR STRUTTER Catterick, 15th May
MR STRUTTER appeared to see far too much daylight for a horse that has shown on many occasions he prefers to obtain cover. The chestnut nevertheless finished off his race well after being parked on the outside wing, and if being granted a kinder draw when returning to his favourite track of Pontefract should soon find himself back in the winner’s circle.
BAHEER Newbury, 19th May
BAHEER was all the rage for this juvenile maiden after arriving at the track with a tall home reputation. He travelled powerfully behind a 150-1 roughie who silenced the crowd by never coming back. Baheer was clear second best on this occasion, but anyone whose fingers were burned can soon recoup their losses, as he’s a grand type and one that will almost certainly head to Royal Ascot.
