Chester 1.50 – 5F Maiden Stakes (Class 4) Good
Five colts and two fillies lined up for this maiden race. All had raced previously apart from one of the colts.
AYRESOME ANGEL was sent off the favourite at 5/4. She had not been seen out since May when she finished second, 1¼ lengths behind LYDIA’S PLACE at Catterick. That filly went on to win her next two starts.
Bryan Smart’s filly had led on two of her three starts and that was again the case. However, today, although she had to be kept up to her work in the final furlong, she lasted home and won by 1¼ lengths.
THATSALLIMSAYING chased the winner all the way but could make no real impression and finished second for David Evans. On her only other race to date, she had finished fourth at Haydock. Purchased at a Breeze Up sale for 37000 euros, she is the first foal from an unraced dam.
CHICAGO STORY was ¾ length behind the runner up in third. He had previously been beaten nearly five lengths by THATSALLIMSAYING at Haydock but was 3lb better off today.
Newmarket 2.35 – 7F Superlative Stakes (Group 2) Good to Firm
Some pre-race comments by connections can be read here.
TAKING LIBERTYS was a non runner (bruised foot) leaving eight colts to contest this Group 2 race. All eight runners were previous winners and they had won a total ten races between them.
AIR VICE MARSHAL for Aidan O’Brien was sent off the 11/4 favourite. He had previously had two races in Ireland winning a 7F maiden on his most recent start.
BIRCHWOOD had won on his first two starts but on his last outing in a Listed race in Ireland, he was sent off the odds on favourite but could only finish third of four. Before the race today, Richard Fahey had said: ‘He was a flop last time in Ireland at Naas. If he had not have run there then I would have really been fancying him as I think the seven-furlong trip looks like it will suit. He needs to bounce back as once again it his a hot race.’ He certainly bounced back to form today as in winning, he broke the 2yo course record. Always prominent, he came to lead two furlongs out and although he drifted left towards the far rail, he stayed on to win by a length.
AIR VICE MARSHAL looked as if he would be able to challenge over a furlong out but he could only stay on at the one pace and finished second. He had won a Class 5 maiden at Epsom on debut
Pat Cosgrave, the rider of WAR DEPARTMENT, unplaced, reported that the colt was never travelling. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of WAR DEPARTMENT failed to reveal any abnormalities. The Stewards ordered the colt to be routine tested.
Richard Fahey: ‘BIRCHWOOD bombed out big time on his latest start in Ireland but he was just in the wrong frame of mind there. Today he was a star and we are back to where we thought we were with him. This was the target after he won at Newbury. We went to Naas to try and pick up a Listed race but that didn’t happen and we will discuss where to go next. He deserves a crack at a Group One now. James said he was in front too soon, but he quickened up at the two and quickly put the race to bed. He just got a bit lonely out in front as it’s a big, open space. We’ll speak to John [Ferguson] and see where he goes, but he has entries in the Gimcrack and the National Stakes.
James Doyle: ‘I got a little bit excited at the two-furlong pole and let him [BIRCHWOOD] go. He wandered a bit late on but it was a fair performance. He travelled into it really well and, at the halfway stage, had a few of the others at it so I just let him carry on. He put the race to bed nicely and then just had a little look late on. I let him go at the two and he just wandered a bit late on. He travelled into it really well and put the race to bed nicely, he just had a look late on. He has a lot of speed, six or seven (furlongs) is fine, but seven is probably as far as he wants to go at the minute.’
John Ferguson, Bloodstock Advisor to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed: ‘BIRCHWOOD was very impressive at Newbury and then a little bit disappointing in Ireland but James Doyle said that he didn’t feel right going to the start. He has come back and done it right today.’
Aidan O’Brien on AIR VICE MARSHAL: ‘It was lovely ground and there are no excuses. He was still a little bit green off the bridle, but he will come on for the run. We will look to Goodwood and he should progress well for it.’
Richard Hannon on TONY CURTIS: ‘Hughesie really likes him and he will get a mile. The horse is very similar to Toormore and for me, he is the horse to take out of the race. We will give him a break and look at the Royal Lodge at the end of the year. He is a very good horse, as time goes on he will get better.’
Hugo Palmer on THEY SEEK HIM HERE (fourth): ‘I am delighted with that performance and Pat [Smullen] said he feels like a serious horse. The ground was probably a bit too quick for him and he only quickened up when they met the rising ground. He will stepped up to a mile now for races like the Royal Lodge Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. He is a very good horse.’
Ascot 3.20 – 7F Maiden Auction Stakes (Class 4) Good to Firm
Twelve colts and one gelding contested this maiden, which included eight newcomers.
ROCKLEY POINT for Paul D’Arcy started as favourite opening up at 9/2 on course and was backed in to 7/2. He had not been seen out since the middle of May when he made his debut, finishing third in a Class 4 novices race behind subsequent winners BURATINO (Group 2) and GIFTED MASTER (Class 4 stakes). There was some support for William Haggas’ newcomer WALSINGHAM GRANGE (10/1 to 8/1).
The race was won by RAY’S THE BAR, a newcomer from Michael Bell’s stable. He had been held up towards the rear but made good progress over two furlongs out to join the two leaders, BERNIE’S BOY and ROCKLEY POINT. Whilst the latter was one paced in the final furlong, the other two went on and RAY’S THE BAR stayed on to lead near the line and win by a head.
He cost 42000 euros as a yearling and was then resold at a Breeze Up sale for 37000 guineas. His dam won in France at 11F but has yet to produce a winning foal.
BERNIE’S BOY (Andrew Balding) ran a strange race today. He led early, lost his place and then rallied to lead two furlongs out and was staying on inside the last only to be caught close home. He had made his debut at Salisbury in a Class 5 maiden over 6F, finishing third beaten just over five lengths. The winner of that race won a Class 4 novice race next time out.
ROCKLEY POINT was a further 1¾ lengths back in third. He cost £31000 as a yearling and is from a mare who was placed in a Group 3 race at 7F and went on to win in USA. She has produced winning foals between 5F and 10F, including winning a Listed race and being placed in a Group 3 race, both at 8F.
WALSINGHAM GRANGE finished in fourth place.
The Stewards held an enquiry into possible interference from 2 furlongs out. Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race they found that ROCKLEY POINT, ridden by Shane Kelly, had interfered with ANY GUEST, unplaced, ridden by Martin Harley. The Stewards found Kelly in breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding in that he manoeuvred right when not sufficiently clear. They suspended him for 1 day as follows: Sunday 26 July 2015.
York 4.00 – 6F Maiden Auction Stakes (Class 3) Good
STYLISH BOY was declared a non runner (going) leaving thirteen runners to contest this maiden. The field included two fillies and there were six newcomers.
HUSBANDRY opened up on course at 13/8 and was backed in to be the even money favourite. The Queen’s colt, trained by Andrew Balding, had raced twice before and on his most recent appearance, had been beaten a short head in a Class 3 maiden at Salisbury. The winner of that race followed up in a Class 2 stakes race next time out. Brian Ellison’s newcomer G’DAY AUSSIE was backed from 14/1 to 9/1 – stable visit comments here.
PAPA LUIGI led until a furlong out when he edged left and kept on at the same pace to finish third.
HUSBANDRY had tracked the leader and after taking the lead, kept on to win by 1¾ lengths.
It has been previously documented that Kevin Ryan likes to introduce his better runners at York and today MONT KIARA finished second. He cost 135000 euros at a Breeze Up sale and is from a mare who won at 5½F in France. She has produced one winning foal, a 7F maiden also in France.
PAPA LUIGI finished a further length back in third. Richard Hannon’s colt had been runner up on debut and most recently had finished sixth at Newbury (the winner and fourth placed horses both won Class 3 races next time out).
G’DAY AUSSIE was always towards the rear and finished twelfth.
George Baker, the rider of ATHOLLBLAIR BOY, unplaced, reported that the gelding ran greenly.
Andrew Balding: ‘He’s a nice horse with plenty of speed and hopefully he can go on to something better. We might look at something at Goodwood.’
Newmarket 4.20 – 7F Maiden Fillies Stakes (Class 4) Good to Firm
All ten fillies declared contested this maiden and there were four debutantes.
Aidan O’Brian’s BALLYDOYLE was sent off the 8/13 favourite on the back of finishing a short head second in the Chesham Stakes (Listed) at Royal Ascot.
She tracked the leader before hitting the front with two furlongs to go and went on to win by 2¾ lengths.
NEMORALIA (Jeremy Noseda) finished in second place. She had made her debut here but over 6F, finishing fifth. The winner of that race has since finished third in a Group 2 race and the fourth won a Class 5 maiden next time out. She cost 140000 dollars as a foal and is from a mare who won in USA. She has produced one winning foal in USA between 5F and 6½F.
HAGGLE, a newcomer for Luca Cumani, finished in third place, a further 2¼ lengths away. Owner bred, she is from a mare who remained a maiden after three races. She has produced winning foals between 8F and 10F (highest winning OR of 70).
Aidan O’Brien: ‘She had a nice first time run and ran a lovely race at Ascot and it was lovely to come here and win. Joseph was very happy with her. We could step up [in trip], but we’d have no problems keeping her at seven. There’s a fillies’ race at Leopardstown we might go to, but we’ll just go gentle with her. We always thought she was a very nice filly. She is very well bred and I imagine she’ll be a Guineas filly.’
Newmarket 4.55 – 7F Nursery (Class 2) Good to Firm
A field of eight went to post for this nursery handicap. Seven of the runners were previous winners.
MAJDOOL (Roger Varian) opened up on course at 15/8 and was backed in to start as the 6/4 favourite. At Chester on his second start, he had finished runner up, beaten 4½ lengths, over 6F to BEAVERBROOK, the subsequent fourth in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2). SPONGY finished a further 3½ lengths back in third. Today SPONGY was 4lb better off for that defeat. MAJDOOL then recorded an easy win at Wolverhampton over 7F.
There was also support for FIRST SELECTION from 7/1 to 11/2. Simon Crisford’s colt had won at Southwell on debut before following up at Beverley in the 5F Class 2 Bryan Yeardley Stakes. He then stepped up to 6F, finishing ninth in the Coventry Stakes (about six lengths behind BEAVERBROOK). Today, he was conceding 5lb to MAJDOOL.
FIRST SELECTION was always prominent but with a furlong to go, there were seven runners still in with a chance and they were in a line spread across the track. Close home, FIRST SELECTION, SPONGY and TAWDHEEF were the contenders and they finished in that order with the distances being a short head and one length.
TAWDHEEF had already won twice at 6F, most recently at Chepstow. Brian Meehan’s colt’s only defeat was when he was dropped to 5F and raised in class to a Listed race.
MAJDOOL finished in fourth place.
Simon Crisford: ‘Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori picked him out at the sale for me. I have won three races with him and I am absolutely delighted. It is my first winner here and it is hugely exciting. He is a lovely, honest, genuine and tough horse and was tenacious in winning today. We will give him a bit of a break now, but he will hugely benefit from a bit of cut in the ground.’
York 5.10 – 6F Nursery (Class 2) Good
All eight runners contested this nursery handicap and they were all previous winners.
SHAWAAHID was made the 13/8 favourite. Richard Hannon’s colt had won on debut over 5F at Nottingham. There had been no winners from the five subsequent runners. There was support for SHANGHAI GLORY (11/2 to 9/2) and MON BEAU VISAGE (15/2 to 6/1).
With two furlongs to run, the three horses who eventually filled the places were still towards the rear of the field. DARK DESTROYER started to make his challenge at that stage but he was stopped in his run a couple of times before getting into the clear and he then quickened to lead inside the last and win by a neck. Keith Dalgleish’s colt had won at Ayr on his second start, in a Class 5 maiden. The third horse won a Class 6 maiden next time out and the sixth had subsequently won a claimer.
SHAWAAHID stayed on strongly to take second place and MR LUPTON finished a further ¾ length back in third. The third horse had won a 5F Class 5 maiden at Haydock on his most recent appearance.
SHANGHAI GLORY finished in sixth.
Graham Gibbons, the rider of MON BEAU VISAGE, placed eighth, reported that the colt lost his action. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the colt failed to reveal any abnormalities
Salisbury 6.00 – 7F Maiden Stakes (Class 4) Good to Firm
NO PLEASING YOU was a non runner (lame) leaving fourteen colts to contest this maiden. There were eight newcomers in the field.
Richard Hannon’s PALAWAN was sent off the 4/7 favourite. On his most appearance he had finished in fourth place, beaten four lengths. in the Chesham Stakes (Listed).
Today, PALAWAN sat in behind the leading group but had to be ridden to challenge two furlongs out. It took a while for him to get going, but when he did, he kept on well to win by 1¼ lengths. Purchased as a foal for 6500 guineas, he was then resold as a yearling for 27000 euros. His dam won at 5F (OR of 56) and she has produced winning foals between 5F and 7½F (highest winning OR of 74).
SKEAPING made it a 1-2 for the Hannon team. He had led for most of the race but was passed over a furlong out. He had finished sixth here on debut in a Class 5 maiden. The winner of that race has since followed up in a Class 4 novice stakes and the second and third have been placed in Class 4 maidens. Purchased for 8500 guineas as a foal, he was then resold for 24000 guineas as a yearling. He is the first foal from a mare who won at 10F (OR of 66).
MEDICIMAN (Henry Candy) made late progress down the far rail to finish third, a further 2¼ lengths away on his debut. He cost 25000 guineas as a yearling and is from a mare who won at 7F (highest winning OR of 73). She has produced winning foals between 7F and 8F (highest winning OR of 79).
Ryan Powell, the rider of MONUMENT ROCKS, unplaced, reported that the colt was slowly away.
Richard Hannon senior: ‘I was quite impressed with PALAWAN in the Chesham and think he’s a very nice horse. I very nearly didn’t run him as it’s quite quick. He’ll be better with a bit of ease and he probably needs a little further. We’ll see what the handicapper does, and if he gets a reasonable mark he´ll go down the nursery route.’
Hamilton 6.15 – 5F Maiden Stakes (Class 5) Good to Soft
Five runners contested this maiden. One of the runners was a filly and all had raced previously.
SEARANGER was a weak favourite, opening up at 10/11 and drifting out to 5/4. On his most recent appearance, he had finished second at Carlisle. As a consequence of the favourite weakening in the market, all of the other runners shortened in price, the most notable of these being GRIFFIN STREET who opened at 12/1 and was returned at 6/1. Iain Jardine’s gelding had only beaten three rivals in his two previous starts, including finishing nearly three lengths behind THEO’S LOLLY last time out, who he was meeting again on worse terms.
MR CHUCKLES (Philip Kirby) was sent off at 25/1 having finished last of eight here over 6F on his debut. In the same race, Keith Dalgleish’s CANDY HILL had finished seventh. However, they caused something of an upset when they finished first and second today. Behind early on, MR CHUCKLES was brought to challenge down the centre of the track halfway into the race. He stayed on well to lead inside the final furlong and win by a neck. He cost 12000 guineas as a yearling but was then unsold at a subsequent Breeze Up sale. His dam was unraced (a half sister to a Listed race winner at 6F). She has produced a full sister who remains a maiden after four starts and other siblings who won between 5F and 8F, including a Listed race win at 5F.
CANDY HILL had led for most of the race on the stands side rail until passed by the winner. She cost 15000 euros at a Breeze Up sale and is from a mare who won at 10F (OR of 79). She has produced a full brother who has won at 6F and 7F (highest winning OR of 89). Other siblings have won up to 8½F.
The representative of Ann Duffield, the trainer of SEARANGER, placed third, reported that the colt was unsuited by the ground which was good to soft.
GRIFFIN STREET finished in fourth place and THEO’S LOLLY was last of the five.
Philp Kirby: ‘Joey Haynes rode an excellent double for us last night at Hamilton, MR CHUCKLES was held up this time and came with a sweeping run to win well and confirm the promise he has shown at home. This was another win in Brian Dunn’s yellow and black colours, we hope they are first past the post again today at Southwell. Mr Chuckles was the Arcano breeze up horse who didn’t make his reserve in the ring but is proving his worth on the track, winning cosily on his second start and we expect further improvement to come.’
News Update
HUGO PALMER on HAWKSMOOR, who holds a Group 1 entry in Ireland after winning at Kempton earlier in the month:
‘She wouldn’t want very fast ground. I pulled her out of a couple of races when I felt the ground was getting too quick. I think the obvious race for her is the Star Stakes at Sandown, but it would be ground dependent. There are plenty of other options for her, the Prix Six Perfections at Deauville and the Sweet Solera at Newmarket. She’ll go nowhere if I don’t think the ground is right for her, though.’
Likewise, Richard Hannon has provided an update on his website about future plans for ILLUMINATE and MANAAFIDH, winners at Newmarket on Friday:
‘ILLUMINATE would have to carry a penalty for the Lowther at York for winning the G2 at Newmarket, and it would make more sense to aim for the top floor, so Deauville is under consideration and then we would probably go for the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.
We knew that she had the class after she won the Albany so impressively at Royal Ascot, but she showed this week that she also has plenty of courage as she had to knuckle down and battle to beat off Besharah.
Hughesie rode Illuminate handier than he had done at Ascot, taking the view that we did not want to give Rah Rah too much of a lead, and, consequently, they were really motoring from half-way.
Illuminate got the better of that battle and looked like winning a length, but she had become a bit lonely out in front and it was a real scrap in the final furlong.
However, Illuminate was very brave, and I would certainly put her right up there with the best fillies we have had here. She is on a par with the likes of Sky Lantern and Tiggy Wiggy.
We loved Illuminate from day one. You won’t find a prettier filly anywhere and she is a pleasure to train. She has the most gorgeous head and is a dreamboat on the gallops in the mornings. That was only her third race, but she is so professional.’
‘Ours always improve for their first race, so when we get one winning first time out they are usually pretty good, and we think MANNAFIDH might be just that.
We have always liked him, but I thought he would need the experience. Paul [Hanagan] has been down twice to ride him on the gallops, and he has been waxing lyrical. He loves him to bits.
It was Paul who suggested we give it a go at Newmarket and see how he shapes, and I did get a lot of encouragement from the colt’s last bit of work on Tuesday. He has a lovely temperament.
Furthermore, he’ll improve for stepping up to a mile. They went hard up front and he came from a long way back and picked up well. You need an above-average colt to win that maiden and, hopefully, he could be one. We’ll have to talk to Angus Gold and form a plan.’
Two Year Old Racing 2015 