New Kids On The Champions Series Block: Jash

Jash was an emphatic winner of his first two races before playing second fiddle to Ten Sovereigns in the Middle Park Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Horse  JASH

Form: 112.Trainer: Simon Crisford

Simon Crisford’s fourth year as a trainer has been a cracker. At the time of writing, he has enjoyed 67 winners from 324 runners, giving him an impressive strike-rate of 21 per cent.

Century Dream flew the flag among his older horses, including when finishing a close third in the QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and among his two-year-olds it was Jash who emerged as an exciting candidate for top honours in 2019.

Purchased for €88,000 as a foal, he was subsequently sold for 185,000gns as a yearling and if he were on the market now, which he isn’t, he would be worth considerably more.

The Kodiac colt, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, went off 15-8 favourite for his debut over 6f at Newmarket in late August and those who supported the market leader never had an anxious moment as he quickened to the front over a furlong out and won easily by four and a half lengths.

Several of those he beat subsequently won next time out, to frank the form.

Twenty days later Jash reappeared in an eight-runner novice event at Salisbury and was not extended to land odds of 1-8 by nine lengths.

It was another impressive display and 15 days later he went off at just 4/1 for the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Jash enhanced his reputation but came off second best in a good tussle with the odds-on Ten Sovereigns, trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Ten Sovereigns prevailed by half a length, the pair drawing three and a half lengths clear.

Afterwards, Crisford spoke excitedly about Jash potentially turning the tables over a mile in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. He is bred to get the longer trip but the pace he has shown cats a little doubt.

That is reflected by Jash being a general 20-1 for the 2000 Guineas but only 10-1 for the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs, at Royal Ascot.

Regardless of his best trip, Jash should make an impact in the Champions Series provided he does not take after his dam, Miss Azeza. She was useful but became temperamental, refusing to race on her last two starts.