Ross Millar's Juvenile Watch: Tenebrism earns top marks

Live In The Dream holds an entry in the 3.05 at Chester on Saturday.

He made a winning debut at Wolverhampton over 5f and followed that up with a solid third place when narrowly failing to concede 9lb to Sassy Rascal and Kimngrace (an easy winner since) at Lingfield.

His latest seventh place came in the valuable Sales’ race at Doncaster, where he showed good speed before failing to see out the extended 6f trip.

If declared and getting a reasonable draw, I think he’ll be hard to peg back around the fast 5f at Chester.

Plenty has been made of the performance of the Royal Lodge runner-up Coroebus, who showed a great turn of foot to shoot a long way clear at the two-furlong marker, only to idle close home and get collared by the winner Royal Patronage.

I’d certainly agree that the explosive acceleration shown by Coroebus marks him out as a special talent, and you can be sure that he’ll be ridden with more restraint and delivered later next time.

However, there is a danger that the winner, Royal Patronage, is not getting the credit he deserves. This was a smart performance and he showed buckets of grit to stick to the task and peg Coroebus back in the final strides.

He was notably keen in the early stages, which leaves grounds for optimism that he could yet improve further.

His dam was a ten-furlong winner in France and is herself from a smart Aga Khan family. This pedigree plus tenacity suggests that stepping up in trip will suit him.

I certainly will be careful to not underestimate him.

Masekela was bitterly disappointing and this surely wasn’t a true reflection of his ability. It’s possible he found the ground too lively, although it’s also worth mentioning that, by his exceptional standards, Andrew Balding’s win percentage has dipped in the past few weeks.

Wow! Tenebrism put in a mighty performance in the Cheveley Park Stakes to win on what was just her second career start, and her first since March.

She was slowly away and was then settled at the rear of the field. Approaching the two-furlong pole it looked like Flotus might have slipped the field, but Tenebrism was just starting to find top gear and swept into contention with a furlong to go before clearing away with seemingly plenty in hand.

This is by some distance the best performance I’ve seen from a filly this season and I can’t see a scenario when any of those who finished behind could legitimately hope to reverse the form.

She was the least exposed in the field and arguably is open to the most improvement.

Flotus has now put two good performances together and is finally delivering on the promise she showed on her debut. She certainly wasn’t stopping at the line but it’s hard to think going up in trip would bring about any real improvement.

Sandrine looked to lack the speed of the front two but stuck to her task well to finish a honourable third. I haven’t given up on her and hope that going up in trip will see her progress further.

Desert Dreamer again suffered a less than fluent passage. She wouldn’t have troubled Tennebrism or Flotus but might well have finished third with a clearer run. She probably isn’t quite up to this class but will remain on my radar.

Zain Claudette and Eve Lodge were well beaten. Both would appreciate ground with more cut and remain fillies of potential.

Sacred Bridge was reported by Colin Keane to have ‘run flat’. She should have loved this ground and, as a consequence, I will continue to oppose her at this level.

The Juddmonte Middle park Stakes was a messy race, with just a length covering the first six home.

Perfect Power proved his Prix Morny win was no fluke, as he replicated that performance with his now customary late burst of speed.

Christophe Soumillon has struck up a good partnership with him and was noticeably confident throughout.

In the immediate aftermath it was suggested that the Dewhurst was under consideration for him but it would now appear that connections are leaning towards not running him again this season.

Castle Star finished second after being short of racing room at a crucial time. He is ridden patiently, making him a hostage to fortune. It would be interesting to see what he can do if ridden more prominently.

Armor ran another solid race but has failed to improve on his exciting Goodwood performance. Soft ground seems essential for him and he may yet win again when the rain comes.

Carturra ran a solid race but probably comes up a bit short at this level.

This son of Australian speedster, Starspangledbanner, has shown plenty of promise in his two career starts.

He was green on his debut at Goodwood, over 6f, where he was slow into his stride before showing up well until weakening in the final furlong.

His last run came over 5f at Beverley. He looked far more professional and showed good speed to lead until just inside the last half-furlong, eventually finishing third.

I’d be interested to see him again at 5f on an easier track and believe it could be the making of him.

Stayed on in eye-catching fashion over 5f on his second start at Beverley.

The way he finished coupled with pedigree - his dam won over 12 furlongs – suggests he will be a different proposition over further.

I’d expect him to improve dramatically once upped in trip and this might well happen once he’s eligible for nursery handicaps.