Bated Breath heads European assault in Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday
Bated Breath, twice a runner-up to Dream Ahead in Group 1 sprints this season, including when beaten by the narrowest of margins by that colt in the Haydock Sprint Cup last month, has a strong chance of deservedly landing a top-grade race when lining up for the 6f Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday night.
However, while stall 11 may prove a major hindrance to Roger Charlton’s charge, I reckon he will again fine one too good, as RIGHT ONE, generally a 4-1 chance, earns the vote to capture this prize for French trainer Christophe Clement who sent out Steel Light to win this Grade 1 race in 2005.
While the five-year-old has done most of his racing over 7f/1m, he left the impression that dropping to this trip would be in his favour when a close-up third in the Woodbine Mile last month, beaten just a neck into third on that occasion, looking likely to score 100 yards out before tying-up in the dying strides.
The Anabaa gelding has really improved since being campaigned in the States, developing into a strong graded-race performer, having usually plied his trade in handicaps in France. He had both Riding The River and Grand Adventure behind in the Mile, and I see no reason why either of those rivals should exact revenge this time, and I believe he will prove too strong for Bated Breath.
There are two additional European challengers in Bewitched and Hitchens. I feel that the fast ground will scupper the prospects of the former, though, while Hitchens has plenty to find on form. Bigger dangers are likely to be posed by Fiddlers Patriot and Regally Ready.