Jungle Cat Goes Close In Palace House

Jungle Cat ran well to finish second of the 21 runners in the five-furlong G3 Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, April 30.

The four-year-old Iffraaj colt, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, was drawn 18 towards the stands' side.

He raced between the main group of runners, who went to the far side of the course, and the much smaller number on the stands' side.

Jungle Cat was always chasing the leaders, moved right towards the main group past half-way and ran on strongly in the final furlong to get within a half-length of the winner Profitable whose time was 58.59s on turf described as good to soft, good in places.

Charlie Appleby commented: "I'm pleased with his performance, though he was just a little bit unfortunate.

"We thought they might come up the centre and it was always in William's mind to come up the centre with them, but he got no cover.

"Jungle Cat ran a great race and six furlongs is his trip. The five furlongs is just a bit sharp. He was flat to the boards at the dip and caught out a little bit, but he stayed on nicely.

"The quicker the ground the better and he has maintained his form from Dubai earlier this year which is encouraging.

"We will work back from Royal Ascot and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1, June 18) over six furlongs will be his main aim.

"We will try and get one more race in between, but he needs decent ground - we won't run him if it is not suitable."