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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

Crowded House (Rainbow Quest — Wiener Wald, by Woodman)

Improved throughout 2008, ending the season with an impressive victory in the Racing Post Trophy. The race as a whole was unsatisfactory affair. Runner-up Jukebox Jury, suffered interference two and a half furlongs from home and again when Crowded House swerved across the course into Skanky Biscuit. He in turn cannoned into the Mark Johnston colt. Skanky Biscuit himself was knocked out of his stride by the winner, though he looked at that stage, to have given his all. Crowded House found trouble two furlongs home, running into a pocket before being extricated by Spencer. Pulled right to make his challenge, the winner quickened and immediately hung to his left. Given the way he was initially forced out of his stride pattern, Crowded House did remarkably well to quicken and come through in the style he did.

Prior to the Racing Post Trophy, Crowded House had finished second to subsequent Breeders Cup Juvenile hero Donativum, at Newmarket. He raced prominently that day and kept on well in the final furlong. Interestingly, he travelled with his head hanging slightly to his left in the first half of the race. Despite the fact he hacked up in his maiden round Kempton Park’s right-handed track, it seems reasonable to suggest left-handed tracks will suit him this season.

A son of Rainbow Quest, Crowded House’s full-brother On Reflection, showed his best form at distances around the ten-furlong mark. However, he finished third in a mile and a half Listed event at San Sebastian, in Spain. His half-brother out of Hernando, Heron Bay, stayed a mile and a half winning the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Crowded House has an excellent physique and possesses the scope to improve this season. However, having shown so much speed last season, there has to be a doubt about him seeing out a truly run mile and a half race.

Rainbow Quest progeny winning distance analysis

5-6f 1,000-1,399m	0%
7-8f 1,400-1,799m	16%
9-10f 1,800-2,199m	35%
11-13f 2,200-2,799m	38%
14+f 2,800+m	11%

(Source: the-racehorse.com stallion statistics database.)