Newmarket preview: Russian Realm can rule under Moore
Russian Realm can bounce back from a disappointing run last time out to land the 7f handicap at Newmarket today (15.35) now reunited with jockey Ryan Moore.
The gelding was a dual winner last season when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, and in the last of those successes easily landed a class 2 contest at Goodwood by 2 1/2 lengths in the hands of Moore.
Russian Realm went on to round of the year with a highly creditable eighth of 27 to Bronze Angel in an ultra-competitive class 2 contest at Ascot, before joining trainer David O’Meara for the start of this campaign.
The son of Dansili was sent off a well-backed 12/1 shot for the valuable class 2 Victoria Cup at Ascot on his first start for the in-form Yorkshire handler, and ran far better than his final finishing position suggests.
After being held-up in rear by jockey Richard Hughes, Russian Realm made smooth headway travelling strongly two from home before weakening and being allowed to come home in his own time to finish 14th of 12 to Speculative Bid.
It was an effort full of promise, but Russian Realm failed to back it up when a well-beaten seventh at Ayr eight days ago when running far too free and seeing too much daylight.
There is no doubt in my mind that Russian Realm is better than that, and it’s interesting connections are now calling on Moore to do the steering.
He has ridden Russian Realm to both his career successes and clearly knows how to get the best out of him.
Russian Realm is also being fitted with the hood for the first time, and on the pick of his form looks a cut above his rivals in what isn’t the strongest of class 3 contests.
Moore also partners several other leading fancies on the seven-race card, and Peterhof looks the pick in the 1m 2f handicap (16.10).
The Sir Michael Stoute trained colt looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut at Linfield back in October and shaped with plenty of promise on his seasonal reappearance when third of 15 in a hot handicap at Newbury.
Peterhof shaped and ran as if needing the outing, travelling strongly for much of the race before being unable to find an extra whne headed at the furlong marker.
That run suggested the three-year-old would be more than capable of winning races off his current mark of 82, and with further progress assured the well-bred son of Dansili can take this before going on to better things.
Selections:
14.00: Blossomtime
14.30: Venus Grace
15.05: Libbard
15.35: Russian Realm (NAP)
16.10: Peterhof (NB)
16.45: Air Squadron
17.15: Jamesbo’s Girl
