Race Report - 13th August 2011
2.05 EBF robinsonsofbawtry.com Designer Clothes Boutique Maiden Fillies' Stakes (1m Str)
Bigger targets may await Godolphin's filly RYTHMIC, who was much too good for her rivals in what looked, at least on paper, to be a warm contest. Emulating the achievements of Mahmood Al Zarooni's subsequent dual Classic winner Blue Bunting, who took this race last year, Rythmic quickened clear in the style of a useful prospect in the hands of Ahmed Ajtebi. Perfect Delight showed further improvement on her third career start to be second, though the fancied Zaahya faded tamely after looking a real threat.
2.40 crownhotel-bawtry.com Maiden Stakes (6f)
Fabulouslyspirited was a warm favourite to capitalise on an eye- catching debut third at Salisbury, but was made to look one-paced as GANAS overhauled leader Chokidar. Clive Cox's colt, a son of Oasis Dream, always looked to have the measure of his 73-rated rival and quickened away, despite running 'green' and hanging in the closing stages. Ganas, partnered by 3lb claimer John Fahy, looks a useful handicap prospect.
3.10 PC Excavations Ltd Handicap (Division I) (7f)
TED'S BROTHER needed a strong pace to run at over this trip and duly got it. He was settled off the generous pace by Tadhg O'Shea before asserting inside the final furlong. Northern Flyer, back on a handy mark and fresh from a decent effort at Newcastle, made the winner pull out all the stops. Back in third, Watch Chain posted another decent effort and can be found a winning opportunity.
3.45 One call Insurance Handicap (7f)
Tim Easterby's GRISSOM was 6lb higher than when scoring a courageous victory at Pontefract, and had an extra furlong to contend with.
However, he shrugged off the rise in the weights and relished the longer trip to boot, scoring in emphatic style under Duran Fentiman.
Irish Heartbeat, who was a closing second, was the unlucky horse of the race, running on strongly after being hampered at a crucial stage. He loves Doncaster and is handicapped to gain compensation.
4.20 aricabeauracing.com Handicap (5f)
Trainer Ron Harris is planning a tilt at the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap with the back-to-form SECRET WITNESS. Tom McLaughlin produced the winner with a real rattle to nail long-time leader Hazelrigg, who made a bold effort racing solo against the stands rail. Harris said his winner had been unlucky at Goodwood before finding the ground too sticky at Windsor on Monday. Runner-up Hazelrigg may also take his chance in the Portland if he runs well at York next week.
4.55 PC Excavations Ltd Handicap (Division II) (7f)
Dhhamaan was a short price to complete a hat-trick following his impressive performance at Thirsk and looked like galloping them all into submission with two furlongs to run. However, his stride began to shorten and outsider ELLIE'S IMAGE emerged from the pack to reel him in. Brian Baugh said the filly had been disappointing all year after a productive campaign in 2010 and couldn't suggest why she had suddenly found her stride. Whether she can repeat it is open to question but she completed a nice double for jockey Duran Fentiman.
5.30 Universal Recycling Company Handicap (1m61/2f)
MANIFESTATION, who has run well in a mile and a half handicap at Newbury, travelled sweetly throughout to win this for John Gosden and jockey Nicky Mackay. He hasn't been the most consistent but may now build on this over a similar trip. Favourite Four Nations, stepping up from a mile and a half, got going too late but finished well in second, though Elrasheed folded tamely despite looking a threat with two furlongs to run.
6.00 Anthony Estrin's 60th Birthday Bash Apprentice Handicap (1m21/f)
Sirgarfieldsobers and The Oil Magnate set a frenetic gallop that they were never likely to maintain. They set the race up for the closers, including winner HAIL BOLD CHIEF, who was taking advantage of a falling handicap mark. Garry Whillans gave the Alan Swinbank runner an intelligent ride to see off the consistent veteran Veiled Applause, who is also back on a winnable mark.
