Clouds Gains His First Win Under New Code

Winner of 2 Bumpers and 3 Hurdle races, Beyond The Clouds showed his class in the NH sphere, gaining a mark of 142. This season Kevin wanted to try to the 6yr old on the flat and after a couple of decent efforts he managed to get off the mark in fine fashion at Ripon, taking the 1m4f Visit ripon-races.co.uk Novice Stakes.

Running over hurdles Clouds had to stay 2m but those races are run at completely different speeds to anything on the flat. This can make it quite difficult to judge what may be the best trip when converting to the flat. One thing Beyond The Clouds has always shown is a bit of speed during his homework which Kevin felt would suit starting over 1m2f. His first two outings, at Beverley and Pontefract, saw the chestnut come up against some fancied southern raiders. He shaped ok on debut but then looked like a step up in trip was required on his second start. The form of those races was strong though with a few of the runners going on to run well in handicap company off fairly decent marks. 

Stepping up to 1m4f was set for his next run and the race at Ripon took the eye immediately. Again there were some southern raiders travelling up for the race and due to weight for age allowance, Beyond The Clouds would be faced with giving 10lb to his rivals. Tom Eaves retained the ride as the two would line up against 9 rivals and this time around were viewed as outsiders. The market had the race almost between three horses with the rest at double priced figures and above. 

With two runs under his belt, Beyond The Clouds knew a lot more about the flat game and was quickly away from the stalls. Tom was keen to utilise this and drove him along for a couple of strides, keen to go forward. With the three market leaders all drawn around him, Tom may have felt there would be a battle for the lead but it was Beyond The Clouds who grabbed the initiative and took the field along. Favourite Two Bids settled in behind the lead with Navajo Pass and Final Orders tracking him themselves.

It looked as though Beyond The Clouds was setting a fair gallop with the field well strung out down the back straight. This didn’t look obvious though with the favourite who took a keen hold and cut the lead as Danny Tudhope fought to try and keep him calm. Beyond The Clouds travelled nicely in front and seemed to enjoy his new role as he stretched out down the straight and took the field through the first half mile. As the back straight took the runners away from the stands they thinned out to race almost in single file, all in the slipstream of Beyond The Clouds. The pace did seem to settle down the further they went and without anyone taking him on, Tom was able to dictate and fill up the tank comfortably. 

Moving towards the home bend and passing the 7f marker, Danny Tudhope made a move. Releasing his head strong mount, the favourite swept around Clouds to take the lead and going on by 1 1/2 lengths. Tom didn’t panic and maintained his rhythm, happily surrendering the lead. The field had no begun to get stretched out and as they entered the bend the front four just started to get a little break from the rest. This quartet contained the three market leaders and Beyond The Clouds, who was now in pursuit of the free going Two Bids. 

The leader really turned up the tempo around the home bend and as they straightened up for home had created a good break between the two groups of runners. Tom was matching every move made by the leader and as they hit the straight, with 1/2 mile to run, the race really started to take shape and heat up. Navajo Charm was the first one of the leading quartet to come under pressure as he tried to maintain his position. The leader strode on in front but as Tudhope looked over his shoulder he could see that Beyond The Clouds was hot on his heels, going just as well. Moving on down to the final 3f and the race was between the front four as there was now clear daylight to the rest of the field.

The front two even had a small break on their two closest rivals and now it was who would show their hand first. Tom loosened the reins and asked Clouds to begin lengthening ready for a big final push. Navajo Pass and Final Orders were hard at it to try and catch the leading pair but heading into the final 2f Tom kicked on and snatched the lead. Beyond The Clouds quickened past the favourite and immediately went a length up. Two Bids tried to match the move but couldn’t and Tom had really committed to this challenge. Now there was no other choice but to go for home and Beyond The Clouds responded by opening up his advantage. Navajo Pass was staying on for pressure and was now challenging the favourite as Final Orders had been dropped. 

Having gone clear, Clouds could now move across and he took the rail for the final furlong. The lead had grown to over 2 lengths and it was a case of if Beyond The Clouds could see it out. Tom was now all out and he had a very willing partner as Clouds stuck to the task at hand. Navajo Pass was staying on to take second spot but was never catching the leader. Beyond The Clouds maintained his run and despite the lead closing he crossed the line to earn his first flat win by 1 1/4 lengths. 

After a good debut, a below par second outing, this win was very pleasing and Beyond The Clouds showed his true quality. Not only did he win well but he had to give 10lb to the others which is a fair amount. The longer trip looked to really suit him and now handicapping will be in order. Obviously he is 6yr old so it was a belated start to his flat career but Beyond The Clouds is very lightly raced so there could still be so much more to come from him. The form of his races has worked out well so it will be interesting to see how the handicapper judges him. Although it’s taken time, Beyond The Clouds is certainly a nice recruit to the flat game and can hopefully carry Mr Guy Reed’s famous colours to some bigger days.