Part of the Guide to the 2009 Flat season service from Graham Richards. Order your subscription online today for the full service, including newsletters and previews of all major events through the Flat season.

Arazan | Black Bear Island | Crowded House | Delegator | Evasive | Fame And Glory | Mastercraftsman | Rainbow View | Rip Van Winkle | Sea The Stars | Serious Attitude | Other British runners | Other Irish runners

Delegator (Dansili — Indian Love Bird, by Efisio): Delegator made his debut on the July Course at Newmarket last August, over seven-furlongs. Looking all over the winner a furlong from home, he hung to his left and was caught close home by the rallying Wingwalker. Returning to the same track a fortnight later, he made no mistake and won well from Palavicini. Spencer took things rather easily in the closing stages; otherwise the margin would have been five lengths.

Upped in class, he returned to Newmarket this time on the Rowley Mile course for the Dewhurst. In a slowly run race, he was unable to show the turn of foot he had previously displayed and finished a close up firth. In addition, his chance may have been compromised by racing on the outside from his high draw.

Returning to action in the Craven Stakes, he was noted as having done well physically over the winter, strengthening up into a classy looking colt. Held up at the back of the six-runner field, he cruised along behind the slow early pace. Switched to his left, he quickly passed his rivals, showing an excellent turn of foot, before hanging back to his right when going clear. One has to say Spencer gave the colt anything but a smooth return to racing, while the colt himself changed his legs in the final furlong.

What the form amounts is difficult to gauge. The runner-up Sans Frontieres, was having the second race of his career and the first this season. He looked both in the paddock and the race itself, in need of the outing and he looks sure to improve a great deal for the experience. The third horse had won the Easter Stakes at Kempton Park and came into the race a 99 rated colt. Given the speed he shows in his races, it would not surprise me if Delegator proves as effective over a slightly shorter trip. On paper, this was not a vintage renewal of the Craven Stakes and Delegator will need to improve further to land the 2000 Guineas. In addition, he will have to contend with at least three fancied runners coming into the race on their seasonal debut.

Dansili progeny winning distances

5-6f 1,000-1,399m	20%
7-8f 1,400-1,799m	31%
9-10f 1,800-2,199m	27%
11-13f 2,200-2,799m	19%
14+f 2,800+m	4%