Let's hear it for Lope De Vega's son Poetic Force as he makes the 100th start of his long career

Our resident bloodstock experts profile the well-bred eyecatchers and expensive purchases set to grace the track.

POETIC FORCE

Ian Carnaby Handicap (2.50 Brighton, Monday)

What's the story?

We thought we’d mark Poetic Force’s 100th run, that’s the story morning glory. 

The ten-year-old, who contests the 7f handicap at Brighton on Monday, is the commendable winner of no fewer than 15 of his previous 99 runs, while he has also finished runner-up 14 times and third on nine occasions.

He has been with the Tony Carroll yard since being claimed out of the Jonny Portman stable after winning at Wolverhampton in December 2016. He cost £12,000 and has proved a great servant to the Worcestershire trainer.

He will be ridden by Molly Gunn on his 100th outing and the rider’s 7lb claim will no doubt come in handy.

How's he bred?

Well, this isn’t really about that but his sire is Lope De Vega, so there’s nothing wrong with that at all.

He was bred out of the Beat Hollow mare Obligada, a three-time winner on the track and who has produced other winners in the Starspangledbanner brothers Anglo Saxon and Rory The Cat.

Poetic Force (Mollie Phillips, nearest) beats Granary Queen by a nose over course and distance last AugustCredit: Edward Whitaker

Poetic Force went through the ring twice in Doncaster, first as a yearling at the old DBS Premier Sale – yes, he’s been around that long – for £26,000, when Keith Dalgleish was the buyer, and then the following spring at the breeze-ups, when Portman had his name jointly on the docket at £20,000.

Who does he face?

All of his seven rivals have bits and pieces of recent form in a trappy-looking handicap but Ribchester gelding Dion Baker, as the winner of two of his last three starts, is probably the one to beat.

The second oldest runner, Revolutionise, a sprightly eight, is also by Lope De Vega and his close third at Epsom on his penultimate start is definitely form that puts him in the picture here.

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