The Racing Horse celebrated their 100th winner since 1 June 2013 when Hartnell bolted in on Saturday. Ironically, Hartnell's win on 25 October 2013 gave Mark Johnston his 200th domestic winner of 2013 so congratulations to him also. Below is what we said about our bet on the site early Saturday morning:

 Hard to oppose!

Hartnell 1.10 Newmarket is very hard to oppose and our only concern was price, what is perceived value given his winning chance? The Racing Horse had priced him up at 2/5 so we delighted to take the secured odds of 1/2. This 45,000gns yearling is a half-brother to 7f Listed winner and Fillies´ Mile runner-up Roz out of his yard’s former fair triple 7f-1m winner Debonnaire. On debut he was backed into 7/2 favourite for a York Class 4 Maiden so something was expected of him but he ran green and we now know the going was probably too fast for him.

Very progressive

He ran much better on his second run to finish second but then on his third at Ffos Las he bolted up. In the most testing, miserable and heavy conditions for inexperienced two year-olds they finished like strung out 3m chasers with Hartnell galloping relentlessly to the line over the mile distance and winning by four lengths. He beat the even money favourite Monsea and that horse won his next two including a Class 3 Handicap at Kempton. With this progression he was now showing the public what Mark Johnston knew at home.

Son of Authorized

Offspring of Authorized often like some cut and Hartnell obviously falls into that category. He then ran at Salisbury, also in testing conditions, but looked to be beaten by a classier sort finishing second. The form of that race was boosted when Piping Rock won a Group 3 last weekend.

This imposing colt loves deep ground

His last start was at Doncaster in a Class 3 Handicap and it was a very competitive race with five last-time-out winners in attendance. Once more the ground was soft to heavy. Hartnell made most of the running and impressed in conceding upwards of 5lb to his rivals. He was sweating beforehand, but went through the ground without fuss and was in no danger from the furlong marker, from where he began to drift left. This imposing colt loves deep ground and he obviously has a future as a three year-old.

Well clear on official ratings

On official ratings he is well clear of this field and 18lb in front of main danger Montaly. His style of running and breeding confirms the step up in distance will not hinder. Our only negative thoughts are we would have liked him to have had another week before this race but you can see why the connections have gone for today's race! Two year-olds running over 1m 2f is an exhausting business at the best of times, but today will be attritional, they will finish slowly.