Global Humor
Good morning from Newmarket. I will saddle my final runner of the year when Global Humor takes his chance in the 2.20 at Lingfield this afternoon.
This three-year-old son of Distorted Humor has been quite frustrating, starting the 2018 campaign rated 82 and looking full of promise, having won a novice event at Woverhampton on the second of two appearances as a juvenile, but failing to go on.
He finished last of four on his comeback at Newmarket in April, last again after another break - this time at Chelmsford in July - and then produced another couple of uninspiring efforts in seven-furlong/mile handicaps prior to a gelding operation in September. His first two runs after the procedure provided further evidence of his decline, and by the time he lined up for a seven-furlong 0-70 at Wolverhampton in late November, sporting first-time blinkers, he was rated just 67.
He cruised around on that occasion and looked sure to win a furlong out, but rather worryingly his finishing effort was so weak that he couldn’t even place. Still, it was the first sign of encouragement for some time, and he followed it up with a second place finish over the same distance at Lingfield earlier this month. He again travelled like the winner, but once asked for his effort close to the finish he downed tools in a matter of strides.
The ability is clearly there, but for whatever reason he is not quite going through with his effort. It may be that he simply lacks stamina, so we are trying our luck today over six-furlongs for the first time. His dam was a winner at five-furlongs, and he travels so strongly in his races that we have to hope this is the right move.
The race itself is competitive, with plenty of horses to fear. Highland Acclaim was previously rated much higher, Laubali won last time out, Wotadoll remains in tremendous form, whilst the likes of Tan and Bernie’s Boy are in good and consistent form. I suspect our horse has the raw ability to go very close from his mark of 66, even in a competitive race like this, whilst we have a nice draw in stall five. The question is simply, when push comes to shove, will he finish his race off? That remains to be seen, but we keep our fingers crossed. Shane Kelly takes the ride.
As this will be the final blog before the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best.
Ed.