John Gosden’s filly finished seventh of seven in the Coral-Eclipse last time out and suffered from an illness after the race which may have caused her poor run that day. But she was back to her best today on the fast going that she enjoys.
Speaking afterwards, her trainer said: "I'm happy for her as I thought she'd get very near to the colts in the Eclipse but she was very ill afterwards and that wasn't her running.”
Another smart filly is George Margarson’s Lucky Kristale (5/2jf) who quickened very well in the final furlongs to win the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. The two-year-old overcame the weight penalty she carried for winning the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket’s July meeting. Her only remaining entry this season is the Cheveley Park Stakes at the end of September but she was already being given quotes of around 25/1 for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
Mont Ras (25/1) made every yard of the running in the mile handicap (15.05) and none of his rivals could get close enough to mount a serious challenge. It was a high-profile success for apprentice jockey David Bergin, claiming 5lbs.
Mont Ras’ trainer David O’Meara is having an excellent season, already having passed 100 winners, and the hot streak continued with victory for Dutch Rose (8/1) under Kieren Fallon in the closing fillies’ handicap (16.55).
Fallon had a good battle with Richard Hughes aboard Indignant (8/1) in the final strides and just prevailed by a neck. Dutch Rose made all the running to win this same race here last year and was always prominently positioned in this year’s renewal too.
Trainer William Haggas also had a good day with wins for Haikbidiac (9/1) in the opening yearling stakes (13.55) and Our Obsession (3/1f) in the fillies’ listed race (16.20).
It is speed to the fore on Friday for the 5 furlong Nunthorpe Stakes. Some familiar names go to post – the likes of Shea Shea (Mike De Kock), Sole Power (Edward Lynam), Kingsgate Native (Robert Cowell), and even Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman) back from retirement.
