So close for the Birdman

14 July 2012


BIRDMAN came within a head of landing a Group 2 triumph for trainer David Simcock at Newmarket this afternoon. The Danehill Dancer colt ran a brilliant race in defeat in the Superlative Stakes, finding only the Coventry Stakes runner-up Olympic Glory too good. Jockey Martin Lane held up the twice-victorious Simcock charge before unleashing him from over two furlongs out. There was a moment when Birdman’s charge was just momentarily affected as he and Artigiano went for the same gap. Even so, Birdman wasn’t daunted and he stayed on strongly in the heavy conditions to finish second. David said: “I am delighted with Birdman. He stayed on well and will get a mile before the end of the season. “He handled the ground and is a grand horse. There is no definite plan at the plan. "Glorious Goodwood could come into the equation but today’s race will have taken a lot out of him, so we will see how he comes out it.”