Advancing is to drop back in distance after finishing a solid third at Kempton in England on Wednesday.
Advancing, who is owned by the Uppingham Syndicate which is organised through the Kingsmoor Bespoke programme, just lost out on second in a photo finish with William Haggas’s Muhaajim in the Try Unibet’s New and Improved Acca Boosts Handicap.
The race was won by the improving Bulletin, was staged on the all-weather surface and was run over a mile, two furlongs and 219 yards.
“Advancing looked fantastic in the pre-parade ring and is really starting to get more professional,” Newmarket trainer James Ferguson said.
(Click here for the full result and closing stages)
“He jumped in to a nice position and I was very happy with where we were. I thought two furlongs out I thought we were the winner.
“I thought with natural improvement I thought we could beat Bulletin, but unfortunately he looks well handicapped.
“On the face of it, stepping up to a mile and three furlongs was the wrong decision. He looked like he found that last furlong quite tough. The last 50 yards he was paddling there.
“We will bring him back to a mile and a quarter. We are due a bit of rain and we’ll get him back on the turf. I do think we have a nice horse who is well handicapped. He’ll find his races and we’ll have our day.”
Advancing was ridden by Daniel Muscutt for the first time, and the jockey had his mount in touch with Muhaajim, who led under Tom Marquand and was pestered by Rob Hornby on Bulletin.
Advancing made headway over two furlongs out and went second over one furlong out to the delight of the six-strong ownership group who were watching the race at the Sunbury track.
Bulletin was too good, however, and Advancing was edged out for second in the final strides and landed a cheque of £1,472.
“I thought going in to the cutaway I thought I had the winner covered but he has probably just outstayed me,” Muscutt said.
“He was inclined to hang to his right most of the way round, but it didn’t get any worse under pressure. Maybe the extra trip just stretched him a little bit.
“If I had been second you may have argued he stayed but in the last half a furlong I thought we were coming to the end of our tether. We should nip him back a furlong and go from there.
“Hopefully he will be a fun horse through the autumn. He will be getting the ground he likes a bit more consistently and the option to go on the all-weather (surface) is always there, too.”
