Timeform Notebook: Kingman a future star

John Gosden: Trainer of Newmarket maiden winner Kingman.

The Timeform Notebook returns, highlighting a brace of two-year-old that could go right to the top...

John Gosden's sole winner at Royal Ascot 2013 was Remote, who stormed to success in the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes, and it is a half-brother to that horse that makes the Notebook this week. Kingman, out of the French 1000 Guineas winner Zenda, herself a half-sister to the high-class sprinter Oasis Dream, could hardly have created a better impression when winning on debut at Newmarket on Saturday, earning a price of 12.5n/a for the 2014 2000 Guineas in the process.

It probably wasn't the most hotly-contested of maidens to be run at the track in terms of the form achieved by those behind the principals but Kingman ran out a hugely impressive winner, putting six lengths between himself and the second with a further five lengths back to the third, running to a very big figure for a newcomer. That figure is backed up by a quick time and, although it's clearly early days, it would come as no surprise were Kingman to take high rank amongst the season's juveniles with a tilt at the Solario Stakes, which his trainer won in 2007 with a certain Raven's Pass, reportedly on the cards. 

The second to juvenile to make our list is Ertijaal, who made an encouraging debut behind Richard Hannon's well-regarded Toormore before getting off the mark at Yarmouth last Thursday. The latter event was very much a one-sided affair, Ertijaal being sent off the 1/4 favourite and duly obliging by six lengths, but it is the manner of his success that is worth noting. 

A good time gives substance to Ertijaal's achievement, travelling powerfully under Paul Hanagan before easily drawing clear when asked for a modicum of effort, creating a most positive impression and marking himself down as an exciting prospect. Well-bred and in good hands, Ertijaal looks certain to be making an impact in pattern races in the near future, with connections signalling the July Stakes as a possible target. 

Flat Notebook 2013

Three Notebook entrants were in action last week with each of the frustratingly finishing second. Galileo Rock finished a length and three-quarters behind Trading Leather in the Irish Derby and running to a similar level as when third in the English equivalent, throwing down a challenge a furlong out but ultimately unable to match the winner's turn of foot. He remains on course for the St Leger, a race which will suit ideally, and it was no surprise to see his price firm up on the back of this effort. 

Salford Red Devil got himself off the mark at the second time of asking, having previously been highlighted by this column, and having skipped Royal Ascot in favour of a return to Chester he really should have followed up. On the back foot after a slow start, Lee Topliss elected to rush him up wide around the turn whilst Franny Norton sealed a smoother passage for eventual winner Suzi's Connoisseur. Salford Red Devil remains open to improvement, can gain compensation before long, and it is of note that he holds an entry in a listed event at Sandown this coming Friday. 

Mankini, included in the Notebook after winning on handicap debut at Newmarket in June, was unable to follow up from a 4 lb higher mark but it was more due to how the race was run at Leicester last Thursday that him being hindered by his revised mark. The eventual winner opened up a clear advantage and nothing got into it from behind, Mankini arguably doing well to get as close as he did, and it would be a surprise were he not to prove capable of better still, a point he could prove at Doncaster on Friday. 

Current List:

Jamaican Bolt - Of interest in five-furlong handicaps with cut in the ground.
Mombasa - Of interest in handicaps, particularly if stepped up to one and a half miles.
Loving Spirit - One to note in seven furlong or one-mile handicaps.
Border Legend - Remains unexposed and one to bear in mind for handicaps.
Galileo Rock - A strong stayer who can make an impact at Group level when the emphasis is on stamina.
Pether's Moon - An unexposed, progressive three-year-old that started life in handicaps on a good mark.
Salford Red Devil - Plenty of promise first two starts, unlucky not to win last time. Can gain compensation.
Cape Peron - Ultra-progressive three-year-old that already looks like a group-class performer.
Polar Venture - An unexposed, well-handicapped sprinter capable of better.
Integral - Impressive winner of only start open to plenty of improvement.
Mankini - Run of the race against last time rather than revised mark, will get back on track.
Glorious Protector - Boasts strong form in maidens and unsuited by steady pace on handicap debut.
My Catch - Maiden who travelled very strongly at Royal Ascot.
Kingman - Incredibly impressive debut, running to a big figure in a quick time. Very exciting prospect.
Ertijaal - Above-average early achievements, impressive in success at Yarmouth last time. Pattern performer in the making. 

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