3 minute read

Rossa Ryan earmarked Cracking Gold as a horse with a bright future when speaking to Nick Luck about his sensational success on Annaf at the Saudi Cup meeting over the weekend.

Ryan, who already knows a thing or two about riding top-level talents having partnered Shaquille to victory in a breakthrough Group 1 success in last year's July Cup, labelled Clive Cox's Cracking Gold as a "smashing horse."

The Paul and Clare Rooney-owned three-year-old looked like a classy prospect when making a winning debut over seven furlongs at Kempton in January and the form of that contest has already taken a significant boost with the runner-up, Native Approach, going on to land a maiden in impressive style back at the same venue for Charlie Appleby.

Having been ridden by John Fahy on debut, Rossa Ryan was getting the leg up on Cracking Gold for the first time when the son of Havana Gold readily defied his penalty by five-and-a-half lengths at Lingfield earlier in the month, and the in-form rider had nothing but praise for the colt speaking on Nick Luck Daily's podcast on Monday morning.

"I think he could be a very nice horse as time goes on," said Ryan.

"He was impressive in his maiden and then in his novice and I know Clive (Cox) holds him in very high regard."

"I could see him progressing, he still looks a big baby, but I think as the year goes on, he'll fill out into a smashing horse."

It could be a big season for trainer Clive Cox in the three-year-old division, who a few weeks ago stated he was "very much hoping to go to the Guineas" with Royal Lodge scorer Ghostwriter, who remains unbeaten after three outings for famous owner Jeff Smith.

Ghostwriter is currently a 12/1 chance with Paddy Power to claim the 2000 Guineas on Newmarket's Rowley Mile in May.