Race Report - 24th June 2011
2.20 CWU Legal Services EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (6f)
COLOURFUL NOTION was easy to back but stayed on strongly under Adam Kirby, putting her experience to good use on her third career start.
Marco Botti's filly readily swept past long-time leader Lesotho, who made a pleasing debut for Noel Quinlan. Back in third was another newcomer, Oddysey, though the well-backed favourite Balti's Sister was a big disappointment.
2.50 MG Law Education And Social Care Law Maiden Stakes (6f)
Odds-on favourite West Side was never travelling behind a quick pace set by Jamie Spencer on Dictionary. Spencer looked likely to snatch the race when he kicked clear at the two pole but Dictionary quickly capitulated as LITTLE JIMMY ODSOX and My Own Way Home swept past. The winner, making his debut for Tim Easterby and David Allan, looks a powerfully built sort who is a full brother to the stable's useful sprinter Gallery Girl.
3.25 March For The Alternative Handicap (1m61/2f)
Luca Cumani's KAZBOW hadn't fired at all in two starts this year but left those efforts well behind with a game display from the front.
Jockey 'JP' Guillambert had him in pole position and he dug deep to repel course and distance winner Old Hundred, who ran well in second.
Kazbow could have a decent staying handicap in him, particularly if ridden prominently again, while Bollin Greta gave the form a solid look back in third.
4.00 Simpson Millar Legal Services Novice Stakes (7f)
WOLFGANG, who ran with credit at Royal Ascot, came from off the pace to nail this for Richard Hannon and Dane O'Neill. Basantee, well backed after her staying on fourth in a Listed race in Ireland, looked one-paced when overhauled but stayed on to be second. Both horses look capable of winning again as the season progresses, with a stronger-run seven likely to suit the beaten favourite.
4.35 Trade Union Congress Handicap (7f)
Favourite Elusivity looked the likely winner when hitting the front about a furlong and a half out, but the slow-starting BAJAN BEAR was travelling just as well behind him and asserted close home to give Dane O'Neill a double on the day. Jamie Spencer did nothing wrong on Elusivity, who has now finished second in four consecutive starts and remains vulnerable off his current mark. First time blinkers did Orthodox Lad no harm back in third.
5.05 Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid Handicap (6f)
SHESASTAR was backed as though defeat was out of the question and didn't disappoint her supporters. David Barron's filly was outpaced early on but soon picked up when the gaps opened. She did drift left under pressure in the closing stages but had the race won for Jamie Spencer at that stage. Roman Strait, placed at Pontefract last Sunday, ran another game race to make the frame.
5.40 GMB - Britain's General Union Handicap (7f)
LEGAL LEGACY, a course and distance winner, won this a shade cosily for Michael Dods and Darryll Holland. The five-year-old, who usually comes good at this time of year, repelled the veteran Beckermet, who was bidding to win over this trip at the 30th attempt. Jamie Spencer pulled wide on the second favourite Kakapuka, who picked up well but ran out of steam and could finish only fourth.
