Holler has finished a disappointing seventh in the 1200m Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The John O’Shea-trained four-year-old started strongly with a typical, front-running approach under James McDonald and was in contention in the final 100 metres.
However, he was found wanting in the latter stages of the race which was won by the $3.50 shot Twilight Son, piloted by champion British jockey Ryan Moore.
After a week of intermittent rain in southern England, the going was changed to good to soft after just half a millimetre of rain fell on the track overnight.
Holler has been spelled since finishing second in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 25 and O’Shea had hoped the long break would ensure he was fresh enough to figure.
But the Randwick trainer admitted an earlier run may have been to the benefit of the Godolphin-owned colt.
“He probably only got beat by three, three-and-a half-lengths,” O’Shea said.
“He was there for a long way most probably his condition gave out at the hundred but it was fair run.”
The four-year-old colt is entered for the Group One July Cup at Newmarket on July 9 but O’Shea is undecided when he’ll run next but believes he’s better for the run.
“He definitely will improve, whether he will improve enough to win the July … that’s what we have got to decide,” he said.
“He’s always been a second tier horse for us but a good group one horse at that. It’s been a very good learning experience.”
McDonald said he was pleased with the run and had no complaints with Holler’s performance.
“He got off to a flyer although I don’t think we went off too quick,” McDonald said.
“But he’s a big, burly colt and he hasn’t run for two months, which is a long time.
“He’s done a lot of work at home but you can’t beat match fitness and I think that showed a bit today.
“But I think there’s improvement.
“He’s a good, honest thing and he loved that straight.”
