Take Bad As I Wanna Be to restore his somewhat tarnished reputation with victory in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket today. Trainer Brian Meehan hailed the son of Common Grounds as the best two-year-old in Europe after he trounced a high-class field for the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville last month.
On that occasion he made all the running and drew clear two furlongs out to come home seven lengths ahead of one of his Middle Park rivals, Endless Summer, with subsequent Champagne Stakes victor Noverre a length back in third.
Stepped up to seven furlongs for the Prix de la Salamandre for his next start, Bad As I Wanna Be was disappointing.
He failed to settle when taken on for the lead and had nothing left in the closing stages. He faded to finish last of four behind Tobougg.
Bad As I Wanna Be drops back to six furlongs today and with the prospect of a fast pace, which will help him relax, he is made the nap selection to land the £89,320 first prize.
Dangers abound with the likes of Baaridd, Ghayth and Pomfret Lad in opposition but the selection may have most to fear from Minardi, from Aidan O'Brien's powerful team.
This promising individual easily won the Independent Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes by five lengths from Superstar Leo last time but may have been flattered that day as the runner-up failed to stay the six furlongs at Leopardstown.
Astonished can regain the winning thread in the JRA Nakayama Rous Stakes after a below-par effort at Doncaster last time when he was held up in a muddling race before finishing seventh of eight behind Lord Kintyre.
John Hammond's sprinter had previously been successful at Cologne, Epsom and Deauville this year. And if getting his required strong pace win number four for the season looks on the cards today.
The consistent Swallow Flight can land the Unicoin Homes Joel Stakes. Geoff Wragg's four-year-old, who has three wins, a second, two thirds and a fourth to his credit this time, finished under a length behind Kalanisi in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and has recently shown his wellbeing by taking the minor honours in Distant Music's race at Doncaster.
