Double, Second And A Lucky Escape At Salisbury

It was a successful day at Salisbury for the yard in general, although the highlight of the day was the fact that Sophie Killoran was ok after a horror fall when the saddle slipped on Dylan Centenary in the apprentice handicap. He was disputing the lead at the time and would not have been far away. With both horse and jockey ok, hopefully they can gain compensation soon.

At £58,000 Marcano is the most expensive horse the yard has bought and it looks like he could be one of our best as he won the maiden in convincing style on his second start. Having made a very promising debut in a hot contest at Newbury, a slight cough meant he missed his next intended start at Leicester and a tilt at Royal Ascot. However, it could be a blessing in disguise as it meant he was not rushed and could be stepped up to seven furlongs. The ground was plenty quick enough yesterday, but he was very professional, smartly into stride to make the running and then quickened away inside the final furlong to win by two and a quarter lengths. Targets for the future are fluid but the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, a race we finished runner-up with Roi De Vitesse in 2009, could be an option.

We still ended up winning the finale, as Eugenic finally fulfilled some of the promise shown at home by getting off the mark under Jordan Vaughan. We are still unsure of his trip, as he wandered about inside the final furlong but found more when joined by the runner-up. Off a mark of just 50, he is at the right end of the handicap to progress and we will try to run him without a penalty in the next twelve days.

Icebuster didn't really stay fourteen furlongs in the staying handicap, having every chance at the one pole before fading behind Sunny Future. It was still a solid effort but he needs more help from the handicapper as he doesn't seem quite as good as last season. 

Busy Sunday

Four runners for the yard at Salisbury on Sunday and hopefully the 10mm of rain Salisbury received yesterday afternoon has eased the ground slightly, as none of the runners will want it rattling fast.

We are looking forward to Marcano returning to the track, having run such a promising race at Newbury on his debut. The form of that contest has worked out well, with the first, second and fourth all running creditably at Royal Ascot. As most of our two-year-olds improve plenty for their first outing, we are hopeful of a big run. His pedigree suggests that the step up to seven furlongs will be ideal. Obviously the Richard Hannon trained Misterioso, a £130,000 yearling purchase, could be anything, the chosen mount of Richard Hughes from three stable runners and is very strong in the market this morning.

Icebuster has been a little disappointing in recent months, sometimes blowing the race with very slow starts. However, it was a step back in the right direction when second over twelve furlongs at Salisbury two weeks ago. George Baker felt that the ground was plenty quick enough for him on that day but it was not a bad effort and with six withdrawals already leaving just five runners, it is likely he will take his chance. Although 1m6f is a bit of a question mark, the fact there is a flag start will be a bonus and in an open contest he has every chance.

We have two runners in the finale, a hands and heels contest. Dylan Centenary ran well when fourth in a similar race under Sophie Killoran, who was having her first ride on that occasion. This race looks even weaker and Dylan is an uncomplicated horse so should not be too far away once again. Eugenic has been disappointing as he works nicely at home but has not really reproduced it on the track so far, failing to build on a promising fourth at Chepstow. The main issue is whether he will stay a mile as his pedigree suggests he is a sprinter but has lacked speed on recent starts. It would be great if either of them were off the mark!

More 2014 Places

We are already into February and the horses continue in good form but that first winner is proving elusive. Modem ran an improved race stepped up into Class 5 Handicap company when third at Kempton on Sunday. He was a little bit keen in the early stages which may not have helped but he still fared best of those that raced prominently and the winner Asia Minor is proving extremely progressive in recent months. Modem will only improve with time and he's an exciting horse to look forward to as remains unexposed.

The following day Dance stepped up to two miles and ran a solid race, also finishing third. She probably did not see out the trip in a strongly run race, despite finishing placed in three of her bumpers. She is proving consistent and certainly deserves to win a race soon. She may revert to hurdles when the ground eventually dries out.

Icebuster was disappointing when only fifth at Southwell and probably failed to handle the surface. Although he was a tad keen and was getting a lot of kickback stuck on the inside which did not help. He has been very busy in recent months so will have a short break.

Icebuster Heads To Southwell For 20k Feature

Southwell have put on a £20,000 1m4f handicap on the fibresand this afternoon and they deserve to be rewarded with a decent field. On paper it looks like a match between two dirt specialists in Masterful Act and Hunting Ground with our own Icebuster third favourite at an overpriced 16/1!

It's Icebuster's first outing on the fibresand and it's a bit of a quandary whether he will handle the surface. Generally our horses have a decent record at the track with the majority of our horses taking extremely well to the surface, which I feel is due to the fact our woodchip gallop rides like the fibresand, especially compared to the polytrack gallops which are used in the major centres. However, many experts place a high emphasis on sire stats on the fibresand and unfortunately Iceman has a poor record (1-51) which is a concern. We have had horses in the past defy similar stats, so we always feel it is worth giving them a go on the fibresand, most of ours that do disappoint just don't face the kickback. Also in Icebuster's favour is the fact that he is a strong travelling sort that rarely gets the fast pace he craves on the polytrack, which is why he is 0-15 on the AW, with his last seven run resulting in RPRs of 87-92, rather than the fact he does not handle it. He is readily excused his latest defeat as he ran away with Patrick over two miles and did extremely well to last as long as he did. With the professional handling of David Probert and dropping back to twelve furlongs, he should perform much better today.

Even if Icebuster takes to the fibresand, he may well be coming up against two 'Southwell Superstars'! Masterful Act is five from six on the fibresand and American bred, with connections planning to aim him at the Breeders Cup Marathon. However, he is certainly better at 1m6f plus and just scraped home off a three pound lower mark from Layl (Icebuster beat him six lengths the time before) and off 91 he could be vulnerable over twelve furlongs, a trip that he met his only defeat off a mark of 67. The Johnston horse Hunting Ground is certainly unexposed, his only outing on the fibresand resulting in a seven length success from the 84 rated Saddaqa in a very good time (RPR 92/ TS 86) but disappointed back on the turf. After a break he was certainly impressive when winning by eight lengths over two miles at Wolverhampton. It was not much of a race, Flash Crash was an exposed mid 60 horse before two easy wins in weak company and the big question mark is whether he can back this form up a week later under a six pound penalty (still seven pounds well in) and that he just isn't as effective on turf as he is on an artificial surface?

So with possible question marks against top two in the market, it is certainly worth attacking a £20,000 handicap on the fibresand and well done to Southwell for putting the race on.

Shavansky ran another cracking race in a Class 2 handicap at Lingfield, finishing fourth on Saturday, once again he was unlucky, this time settling dropped back to ten furlongs but he just did not get a clear run up the short home straight and would definitely have been third and maybe done enough to win. However, for the ten year old to remain in such great form is an excellent advert for the yard.

Four Seconds In 2014 Already

The horses have generally started 2014 in good form but we have not had much luck so far with four seconds from nine runners! Hopefully it will not be long before we are off the mark.

Ice Tres has resumed from a summer break in good form and has been second on two occasions at Wolverhampton, both times she has probably hit the front too soon and been nabbed near the line. She was slightly disappointing at Lingfield on Friday but the drop back to ten furlongs may not have suited and the race could have come too soon.

Although she did not like Southwell, Ivor's Princess showed that her 20/1 Kempton success in December was no fluke when runner-up returned to the Sunbury venue under a strong ride from Luke Morris.

It looked as if we had found an ideal opportunity for Icebuster in a five runner two mile handicap at Kempton on Wednesday, but a concern over two miles was whether he would settle if there was no pace on. Sadly he was far too keen and took off with Pat with a circuit to go. Despite having a clear lead entering the home straight, he tired in the final two furlongs as his stamina gave out but he still did enough to hold on for second. He is certainly capable of winning off his current mark granted a strong pace, which is rare on the polytrack.

After unseating early on her hurdling debut and with the ground so soft we decided to return Dance to the AW. She struggled in some strong flat maidens in the summer but was placed in three bumpers and she ran a nice race to stay on for second, having been left short of room when the pace quickened. She is certainly capable of winning a race, whether she can emulate her half-sister Money Money Money and rack up five in one year we're not so sure but she has just as good an attitude!

£70,000 London Middle Distance Final

The 2013/14 AW season has had a much needed prize money boost and the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final has attracted an extremely competitive field, full of horses that have been running well in the recent qualifiers. We are lucky to be represented by both Shavansky and Icebuster, and both have excellent chances of picking up prize money. Veteran of the yard Shavansky has won two qualifiers and has a hundred percent record at the course and distance. He was given a cracking ride by five pound claimer Shelly Birkett, when winning a very competitive qualifier three weeks ago. There wasn't much pace on that day so his effort can be upgraded and he won the 2012 London Mile Final so you know the old boy is capable of winning such a contest. With his slow starts, Icebuster often gets left at the back of the field and he is left hostage to the pace on the AW. He had no chance off a stop start gallop when third last week, which was an excellent effort in the circumstances. His wide draw is actually a positive as he like to challenge wide, so at least he won't be stuck in a pocket on the rail if they do go steady. He's tremendously consistent and is more likely to run his race than Shavansky but the veteran may have more class if he's on a going day. Hopefully both put up good shows in such a valuable race.

Ivor's Secures Win Number 20 In 2013

It wasn't a bad evening at Kempton with all three representatives running solid races and bringing some prize money back to Devon. Ivors Princess finally showed some sparkle down to Class 6 company and despite making Sean Levey, riding a treble on the card, work very hard in the early stages, she ran out a cosy winner. She went up 21lbs for winning two races last year and struggled with the handicapper as she was forced to run out of her grade and completley lost her confidence. She missed the first half of this season but showed promise when third at Salisbury but two disappointing efforts meant she was on her last Flat chance on Wednesday evening. Hopefully with confidence boosted, she can exploit what is now a lenient handicap mark.

There was no pace on for Icebuster in the London Middle Distance qualifier and he was very keen under Shelly Birkett. There was nothing Shelly could do but sit and suffer from an inside draw and she did well to extricate him wide when the sprint started for home entering the home straight. Third was still a good effort in the circumstances and he will get into next week's £70,000 Final. With a field of sixteen, there should be some pace and both he and Shavansky have a good chance of earning some decent prize money.

Ice Tres made a promising return to the track, breaking on terms and wasn't keen in the early stages under David Probert. The lack of a recent run told as she weakened into fourth in the final furlong but it was a solid effort and she should remain competitive in that grade this winter.

Another Qualifier For Buster

With Icebuster dropping to 84, he isn't certain to get in the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final so he goes for the final qualifier at Kempton on Wednesday evening. He has been extremely consistent this season, posting RPR's of 87-92 on ten of his twelve starts this season. However, he is probably struggling with the handicapper, remains four pounds higher than his Haydock success and the fact that he is best off a strong pace doesn't make things easy. However, he has useful five pound claimer Shelly Birket (won on Shavansky) on board and with only seven runners, he won't be too far off the pace even if sitting last, a scenario which has seen numerous good efforts this year. Hopefully he will go pretty close tomorrow and it will be great if we can have two horses in the final.

Despite the fact we are very quiet at the minute, we also have two other runners at Kempton on Wednesday. Ice Tres returns from a 157 day absence in the first division of the twelve furlong handicap. She blew her chance with slow starts on her most recent outings so we gave her the summer off. If she returns in a better frame of mind, she is very well handicapped off 50, having placed off a five pound higher mark on hndicap debut at Wolverhampton.

Ivors Princess has been disappointing over the last eighteen months, although there were signs of a rivival when third at Salisbury and fifth at Chepstow this autumn. She is incredibly well handicapped, off a mark 13lb lower than her last win and eight pound lower than the Salisbury third. She had little chance held up off a steady pace last time and dropped into Class 6 Company, it would be no surprise if she bounced back.

Tenth Career Success For Shavansky

Remarkable veteran Shavansky recorded his tenth victory and took his career earnings to £105,000 when landing a London Middle Distance qualifier event at Kempton on Thursday evening. In a competitive event, he was sent off an unconsidered 25/1 shot and with a strong pace unlikely, the odds were probably justified. However, freshened up by a fifty five day break, he travelled strongly throughout the race and when produced by useful five pound claimer Shelly Birket at the intersection, he showed an impressive turn of foot to hit the front and was always doing enough to hold on in a bunch finish. As he's now nine, he seems more effective on the polytrack, a surface which is easier on an old horses joints and he made it two from two over eleven furlongs at the Sunbury track. He will now head for the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final on the 11th December and he should have every chance of adding to his London Mile success last summer.

Hopefully Icebuster will be joining him in the final and he ran a solid race when fifth on Wednesday evening, only beaten three lengths in a competitive event. A strong pace over eleven furlongs will suit and you couldn't rule him out from running a big race either.

Buster and Shavansky At Kempton

After a quiet spell, we actually have runners on three consecutive days with Icebuster at Kempton on Wednesday evening and Shavansky there twenty four hours later. Both were last seen running creditable races in the Silver Cambridgeshire and these runs will put both spot on for the £50,000 London Middle Distance Final in December.

Icebuster came out on top at Newmarket, running a cracking race to finish fifth of twenty five (both Scottish Star and Silver Dixie were behind him) and this race this evening looks weaker. Although he hasn't won on the AW, he has plenty of solid form on the surface and Kempton certainly suits. However, he does need a strong pace to be at his most effective, as a slow start normally leaves him at the back of the field, while it's not ideal that he hasn't run for 54 days but there just hasn't been a suitable opportunity as he can't run on soft ground.

Shavansky was eighth at Newmarket, a solid effort as they didn't go quick enough for him and he seems better on the AW now he's well into the veteran stage. He was a course and distance winner two starts back and provided he gets a strong pace to chase, he has eachway chances with Shelly Birket taking off a useful five pounds.

Southwell wasn't too successful yesterday. Unfortunately, Madame Kintyre was slow to stride which made life very difficult from stall fourteen. She was only beaten four lengths in to seventh and with a better draw/break would have been placed. She showed she acts on the surface and in a slightly lower grade she should find a race this winter. While Blunos was plain disappointing, perhaps he just doesn't enjoy any AW surface. 

Yet Another Second For The Dreamer!

In his third handicap, Urban Dreamer maintained his hundred per cent strike rate of filling the runners-up spot with a career best effort at Haydock on Friday, taking his career record to seven seconds and three thirds from fourteen starts this year! First time blinkers certainly helped the Intense Focus colt as he showed plenty of speed up the stands rail before being collared by the improving Deeds Not Words, himself on a hat-trick, inside the final furlong. With three lengths back to the third, the race run in a Juvenile Course record, it has to represent a cracking effort from Urban Dreamer, who takes his career earning to £11,666 despite no success. If he gets in, he could go to Redcar for their valuable Sales race and you certainly couldn't rule out more minor prize money if he repeats Friday's effort. We just hope we can get a win out of him before he goes to the Sales next month.

At Newmarket, both of the Link's Partnership horses ran solid races in the Silver Cambridgeshire. Despite the big field, there wasn't much pace which didn't suit either horse. Icebuster was ridden much more prominently and led the field three out before getting outpaced. He rallied coming out of the dip but got checked by the winner which probably cost him fourth but he still picked up around £700. The slow pace certainly didn't help Shavansky but he also rallied in the closing stages and wasn't beaten far in eighth.

Silver Cambrigeshire Duo

After a quiet week on the runners front, it's a busy Friday with both Icebuster and Shavansky in the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket and Urban Dreamer bidding to lose his maiden tag in the nursery at Haydock.

Yard veteran Shavansky has a good record in the Cambridgeshire itself, finishing fifth in 2009 and seventh in 2011 (beaten 3.5L off 94, now 87 without including Pat's 7lb claim) and the straight nine furlongs in a big field really suits him. You normally get a strong pace and even if he misses the break and sits at the rear, the fact that the field is so spread out means you are not that far off the pace. He certainly isn't getting any younger but he's still capable of making an impression in such events. Icebuster also has a similar profile, his slow starts and keen going nature means he also requires a strong pace, although he ideally he prefers ten furlongs or more. However, it wasn't a bad effort when fourth over CD at the Guineas meeting and they didn't go fast enough that day so he too has each-way chances. Both are well overpriced at 40-1 and with one drawn on either side, we hope that at least one of them can bring some prize money back down to Devon.

While at Haydock, the consistent if slightly luckless Urban Dreamer has each way chances in the £15,000 Nursery. The Intense Focus colt has six seconds and three thirds to his name this year but that elusive win eludes him. He has blinkers on for the first time today, which certainly helped his sire find some improvement and while it's a competitive event, we feel he certainly has the ability to win such a race off 73. Stall twelve should suit as with stalls in the centre, he shouldn't get crowded up the stands rail, he is also cracking each-way value at 14/1.

Shergar Cup Third For Icebuster

After a couple of below par efforts, it was a return to form from Icebuster as he stayed on well for third in the 1m4f event at Ascot's Shergar Cup. He settled very nicely under German rider Andrasch Starke (rode Danedream to win the King George) and looked dangerous entering the final two furlongs but he couldn't reel in the front two. It was another solid effort but he is plenty high enough in the weights at the moment.

We also had Shahdaroba in the three year old sprint with Kieran Fallon in the plate but it was a rare disappointing effort from the Haatef gelding as he was a well beaten seventh. Perhaps the drop back to six furlong was against him but a mark of 94 does make life hard.

Meanwhile, Gaelic Ice ran another solid race at Windsor, finishing thrid in the ten furlong handicap and once again she has shown enough to suggest she can win a race.

Chance Of A Friday Winner?

It's a relatively busy weekend with four runners and our best chance of getting a winner is Friday, with both Shavansky and Icebuster having good chances in handicaps. Although he was only eleventh in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock, it wasn't a bad effort from Icebuster considering he was stuck wide off a very slow pace and was only beaten six and a half lengths. That was an extremely competitive eighteen runner £100,000 handicap and dropped in grade at Newbury, he should go very close. The drop back to ten furlongs should enable a stronger pace and with only nine runners, he shouldn't have too much ground to make if he makes his customary slow start. He's ten pounds higher since the start of the season but his most recent efforts show he's still capable of winning off his current mark. Veteran Shavansky has had excuses on his last three outings, no clear run at Haydock and slowly-run races were no good to him the last twice. He's dropped to a mark of 85, allowing him to drop back into a 0-85 handicap and with only six runners, some potential front runners in opposition, he should go very well as long as he lets himself down on the firm ground.

On Saturday Urban Dreamer goes in the £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint, a race we won with Lord Kintyre back in 1997. Urban Dreamer isn't in that class and did disappoint last Saturday at Chester. However, if he returns to his best form, he could sneak some minor prize money. While Dovils Duel bids to take advantage off bottom weight in the nursery at Lingfield. He has been very disappointing so far and hung across the track last time out at Haydock but he seemed to work quite well in cheekpieces at home, perhaps this could be the key as he certainly has the ability to win races off his current mark.

Lots Of Recent Places

It has been a few weeks since a news update and although we would like some more winners, the horses have been running well in recent weeks. It was a very narrow defeat for Gladiatrix when she was denied by a short head at Newmarket on Friday evening, with the rejuvenated Tax Free taking advantage of a reduced handicap mark but Gladiatrix posted a career best effort in the process so we can't be disappointed. She had been unlucky on her two previous starts, a bad draw at Sandown costing her victory when third and then got badly hampered at Salisbury next time out. Another homebred filly to be busy is Gaelic Ice who has posted solid second and thirds at Windsor and Ffos Las in the last ten days.

We took two of the Links Partnership's horses to Haydock earlier in the month and both Astrum and Icebuster ran good races, both finishing second to useful horses. Astrum was unlucky not to go one better when second again at Pontefract on Monday, unfortunately he got hampered at the start and was too far behind to catch the winner. His attitude has been brilliant this year and he has improved with every start.

Unfortunately we did endure disappointment at Royal Ascot as Master Carpenter was only fourteenth in the Chesham Stakes. It wasn't ideal for him to make the running on Ascot's straight track and perhaps he may benefit from dropping back to six furlongs but no obvious excuse has come to light and we will just ignore that effort and he will be out again shortly.

Improved Hurdles Third For Annabelle

Despite schooling well at home, Princess Anabelle had jumped very slowly and deliberately when disappointing on her first two hurdle outings at Newton Abbot. We decided to put some blinkers on her and with new jockey Mark Quinlan gaining some confidence on her by schooling at the yard, she posted a much improved effort when third on Monday. Ridden handily, she jumped much better and travelled strongly in the blinkers before she was headed three out. She stayed on determinedly and was only beaten nine lengths and ran up to her solid bumper form. The handicapper has rated her 96 which is high enough, so we may keep her to Mares Novices for the time being.

Icebuster hasn't had much luck this season and he got no run whatsoever at Windsor on Monday evening. He settled quite nicely in the early stages off a steady pace but the field were still well bunched entering the home straight and he saw no daylight up the inside until it was too late. He stayed on well for fourth and confirmed he's in rude health and he can win races off 86.

Three Meets On Monday

It's a very busy Monday for the yard with three runners at three meetings, unsurprisingly Dad has chosen to go to Newton Abbot, nice and close to home!

The best chance would be Icebuster at Windsor who steps back up to twelve furlongs, having been outpaced throughout dropped back to nine at Newmarket last time out. He isn't an easy horse to win with, as slow starts mean he needs a strong pace to be seen at his best and that might not be guaranteed tomorrow. Tom Queally takes the ride and if he can be ridden prominently, without been chased up off a slow pace, he should go quite well with just nine runners. The handicapper put him up six pounds for his Haydock success so he needs to keep improving and Proofreader will be difficult to beat, as he looked a very well handicapped individual when meeting all sorts of trouble at Chester last time. However, lets hope he continues his good run of form and picks up some more prize money.

At Leicester, Winnie Perry needs to get his confidence back after losing his action at Bath last time out. The race may be too competitive but hopefully he has a trouble free run. A similar comment applies to Princess Anabelle who hasn't jumped well on her first two hurdle outings, having made a very bad mistake at the first on her debut. She has schooled under Mark Quinlan at home and jumps really well, so hopefully she at least gets involved today. Although the step up in trip should suit and she was only two lengths behind one of the favourites Garryleigh in a bumper at Taunton, so has the ability to run well.

Two Fourths On A Big Day

Neither Icebuster nor Shahdaroba were disgraced when finishing fourth in two competitive handicaps at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas day. Icebuster found nine furlongs too sharp and got going all too late but showed he can be competitive of his new mark of 86. He will have a short break as he has been very busy. The seven pound rise Shahdaroba got for his success at the Craven meeting slightly anchored him but he was never far away and was hampered in the final furlong so could have finished closer. He will go back to Newmarket on the 18th May for a £45,000 sprint and he shouldn't be far away once again, especially if there is some ease in the ground.

Icebuster And Shahdaroba At Newmarket On 2000 Guineas Day

It's great that the yard is doubly represented at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas day and hopefully both Icebuster and Shahdaroba will put up good shows, despite the handicapper making life much harder after recent wins.

Icebuster thoroughly deserved his head victory at Haydock last weekend after his narrow Kempton defeats, although its debatable whether he deserved a six pound rise. He's dropping back in trip once again to nine furlongs and with a few front runners tomorrow, he should get the strong pace he needs. Although he stays further, the straight track is ideal for Icebuster as even if he's slow to stride and at the back of the field, without a bend, he shouldn't be too far off the pace. He also likes to have space at the end of his races, which he should be able to get tomorrow and there is certainly plenty in his favour. It doesn't look the most competitive of races for £45,000, with only Danchai, Rye House and Whispering Warrior unexposed enough to be much better than their current mark. The first two are making their seasonal return and probably want further, while the Simcock horse has won some very weak AW races in the context of this handicap and needs to improve. With Icebuster in very good form at the moment, hopefully he can pick up some of the decent prize money that's on offer.

After a slightly disappointing fourth on his return at Doncaster, we felt that a mark of 87 could be on the high side for Shahdaroba but he proved us wrong when winning at Newmarket's Craven meeting. It was a slightly strange sprint in that few got involved and he ended up winning quite comfortably. The handicapper stuck him up seven pounds for his course and distance win and has ended up with top weight tomorrow, giving at least five pounds or more to the rest of the field. The form of his win hasn't worked out great, with the third and sixth well beaten in a similar race at Sandown, although the eighth did win at Wolverhampton. He faces some unexposed sprinters, such as Secretinthepark and Robot Boy, so it's a very tough ask. However, he surprised the yard when winning last time, so let's hope he does it again!

A Head In Icebuster's Favour

After losing out by a head in his two starts at Kempton this year, it was a relief when Icebuster got off the mark, this time by a head, when winning at Haydock on Saturday evening. The Iceman gelding was unlucky on both occasions, with the very steady pace on the AW proving his undoing. We decided to drop him back to ten furlongs, in the hope he would settle better off a stronger early gallop and everything worked out perfectly under replacement rider Danny Tudhope.

The handicapper hasn't been too kind, raising him six pounds to a mark of 86 for this narrow victory and he may make a quick reappearance at Newmarket on Saturday, where he is entered in a £45,000 1m1f Handicap. The straight track will be ideal and with Shahdaroba entered in the three-year-old sprint on the same day, it could be an exciting day for the yard.