Speedy Further And Beyond has leg up on Viceroy Trophy field

BLESSED WITH a turn of foot last exhibited by SHE’S A MANEATER, backed by a powerful stretch run, FURTHER AND BEYOND won’t be easily beaten in one-kick races such as Saturday’s Viceroy Trophy at a mile.

The weight swings against FURTHER AND BEYOND, out of the Saint Cecelia Cup, might appear significant on paper – I’VE GOT MAGIC getting an additional seven pounds, KING ARTHUR shedding 14lb and EXCESSIVE FORCE similarly in receipt of 14lb due to his claiming rider.

FURTHER AND BEYOND’s crippling three-furlong move in the Saint Cecelia Cup took the Horse of the Year from seventh to first within a furlong, swatting I’VE GOT MAGIC off the lead at the top of the lane, before powering home by a widening three-and-a-half length margin.

OUTCLASSED

They were all outclassed when Robert Halledeen shifted into third speed, leaving the three and getting smaller in the rear-view mirror by the time he geared down at the winning post.

December’s Ian Levy Cup at eight and a half furlongs was a similar display, a three-furlong kick, which dislocated the field in a six-length victory over CALCULUS, who simply couldn’t cope with a mile split of 1:36.1.

FURTHER AND BEYOND’s last two victories, both with topweight 126lb, cemented the four-year-old colt as the country’s top handicapper, certainly in races out of the mile chute. The quality of FURTHER AND BEYOND’s Ian Levy victory, 1:43.2, can be measured against the best times at the trip in the last two seasons – a lowering of NIPSTER’S 2020 stakes record by a fifth, two-fifths shy of MAHOGANY’s 1:43.0, clocked in August that year.

His rivals, the likes of two-turn specialist CALCULUS, will have to await the round course, and the right handicaps, to lower his colours.