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Top Tug fourth at Royal Ascot, Judicial breaks his second track record

05 July 2017

Top Tug ran a courageous race under top weight to finish fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap under Irish champion, Pat Smullen. Top Tug stayed on throughout the 1m4f contest, which was won by Rare Rhythm, who was part of a prolific winning team for Godolphin through the week.

Top Tug is likely to be freshened up for a possible tilt at the Ebor Handicap at York in August, which is Europe's most valuable handicap. Top Tug contested the race last season on ground softer than ideal and finished in mid division, but there is little doubt that his form this season is superior to what he has shown before.

Other recent runners include Marseille, who is the youngest sibling of Group 1 winner Marsha and nine-time winner, Judicial. Marseille finished second in a handicap at Doncaster in her first start on turf, which was a good effort. After being hampered at the start, she stayed on well and offered much promise for the future.

On the same day that Marsha finished third in the King's Stand Stakes, Judicial broke his second track record of the season when winning a conditions race at Beverley. He only had two rivals and won without coming under pressure, so to break a long-standing record at the track was a scintillating effort. He is being aimed at the Listed City Walls Stakes at York on 15 July, which was won by Marsha last season, so we hope the trophy could once again return to Club HQ.