Mister Trader produced an excellent performance in finishing 2nd to the very highly regarded Caravaggio in the Marble Hill Stakes (Listed) at the Curragh yesterday. Even more impressive since, after a 62 day break, he was too fresh and well in the early stages which significantly compromised his chances. In addition, he wasn't helped by hitting a false patch of ground

with 100 yards to race and ended up on the wrong leg.

As on his debut, he quickened again impressively inside the final 2 furlongs and had most of the field in trouble pretty instantly. He was only headed inside the final 100 yards when the factors I mentioned above mitigated against him.

The time on Saturday was almost 2 seconds faster than standard, which is particularly impressive given the soft ground. The first two look very smart indeed and put 4 1/4 lengths between themselves and the rest of a well strung out field.

Mister Trader is one tough colt! Back at our stables after the race he was jumping and

kicking when we brought him out for a pick of grass, and was knocking us down for food as ever the next morning! He's very laid back at home and saves his best for the racecourse.

Royal Ascot will be his next outing. He will either run in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) over

6 furlongs or the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) over 5 furlongs. He will have no problem staying

6 furlongs should we decide to go the Coventry route. I'm also looking forward to seeing

him on the likely faster ground at Royal Ascot. His best bits of homework have been on

good ground and so I am pretty certain we haven't seen the best of him yet.