A rather big, scopey sort, Al Buraaq's younger brother Peer Gynt is just the type to progress with age. He did not race as a juvenile and thus goes into the new season as a lightly raced four-year-od. Peer Gynt won on his raceourse debut, scoring convincingly in a maiden event over 1750 metres on the dirt track in late August, when he strolled home by 2 lengths from Quiet Weekend, a Swedish trained contender who seemed a good yardstick, having finished second or third five times previously. Pascal, runner-up to Nominado's half-brother Theatricals Oscar on his preceding start, came home in third place, beaten another 2 ½ lengths. Based on this positive racecorse bow, Peer Gynt was pegged in on 69kg by the handicapper and, although he went on to run some game races in defeat, he failed to win again. After two tries over the turf course, the son of Crocker Road reverted to 1750 metres on the dirt track in early October, and shaped well to take second behind Geist, with useful runners like Love Of Course, Lille My and Shenanigans in arrears. Geist was in top form at the time, having won a similar contest three weeks earlier, and Peer Gynt was beaten just a length by this rival.

Peer Gynt's final start in 2019 resulted in a fourth place finish over 1600 metres over the same track, beaten 7 ¾ lengths behind C'est la vie. That was not form mirroring his true ability, he should certainly be judged on his previous runs, and Peer Gynt is a name it could be fascinating to follow in 2020. His imposing frame means that he has needed time to strengthen and develop, something his owner-breeder has patiently granted him. If Peer Gynt takes after his sister Al Buraq, it will have been well worth the wait. She won five times last season, when she proved effective from 1370 to 1750 metres and also ran respectively over 2400 metres. An educated guess; Peer Gynt will stay 2000 metres, perhaps further too. GS 09 Mar 20