Francisco's Piece

What is striking about Francisco's Piece is how clearly he suits certain conditions. He is an out-and-out 6-furlong horse who thrives on soft, wet ground—the kind of surface that autumn racing brings. A firm, fast track does not suit him; his recent run over 7 furlongs at Epsom, on ground that was too quick, did not go well. His second win, at Musselburgh four weeks back, showed what he can do when conditions are right. Recent form has been patchy—he has finished second, then fifth, seventh, fifth and 15th in his last six outings—but those runs came on ground that did not play to his strengths. When autumn arrives and the rain comes, Keatley is planning to run him at the Shergar Cup and has even mentioned the possibility of testing him in bigger races like the Ayr Gold Cup. For now, Francisco's Piece remains a work in progress: a horse with genuine ability that is only beginning to show itself.