Race Report - 14th July 2011
Thursday 14th July 2011
By Simon Mapletoft
6.30 Beta Technology Apprentice Handicap (5f)
Ed Linehan, who rode the winner of a conditional jockeys' hurdle race at Uttoxeter 24 hours earlier, was on the mark again here on Mark Buckley's LIBERTY SHIP. The young jockey, attached to Tim Easterby, showed his versatility by coming from last to first on the winner. The re-fitting of a tongue-tie may well have helped Liberty Ship to rediscover his form, while Royal Blade ran a typically consistent race in second, ahead of the staying on Sea Salt.
7.00 Laurie Bolger Happy Birthday Memorial Novice Stakes (6f)
STONEFIELD FLYER, second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, was odds-on to take this three-runner contest and never looked like disappointing connections, who are now considering Glorious Goodwood later in the month. Tom Eaves kept things simple on the son of Kheleyf, who can be temperamental and was taken to post early as a precaution. Frankie Dettori sat alongside on the Godolphin filly Pimpernel for the first half-mile but soon accepted defeat when Stonefield Flyer drew two lengths clear as the tempo increased.
7.35 EBF Light Dragoons Colonel's Appeal Maiden Fillies' Stakes (7f)
Sir Henry Cecil's ELBE was a short price to break her maiden and did so with the minimum of fuss for stable jockey Tom Queally. The daughter of Dansili, who was sixth behind subsequent Cherry Hinton winner Gamilati at Newmarket on debut, travelled sweetly through the race and picked up well to win despite running green in front. Richard Fahey's debutant Arley Hall ran a cracker to edge out Godolphin's newcomer Vezzali for second.
8.05 Esquires Coffee Wheatley Retail Park Conditions Stakes (1m Str)
Frankie Dettori's mount SECRECY looked in great shape on his seasonal debut and came with a smooth run to beat stable companion Invisible Man - third in this year's Royal Hunt Cup. Dettori said the five-year- old had 'grown up' and expects him to win in Listed company this summer. The runner-up ran a game race considering he had no cover and will be seen to better effect back in the cut and thrust of a big field handicap.
8.40 Lilywhites Handicap (1m21/f)
ART SCHOLAR had lost his way when he went through Ascot Sales in the spring for just £600, but Newark trainer Mick Appleby saw enough in the gelding to give him a chance and what has happened since has been quite remarkable. His win here was his fourth in five starts, defying a 24lb rise in the weights in the process. Standpoint, who chased him home at Nottingham, filled the same spot with last year's winner Scamperdale back in third. The winner may run again at Haydock on Saturday.
9.10 Balaclava Handicap (1m21/2f)
William Haggas's well bred Lordofthehouse - a half-brother to Group One winner George Washington - was well supported but didn't pick up quickly enough to get to the game SANGAR. Ollie Pears' filly had run well at Beverley from a wide position on her first try at this trip and powered home ahead of the Haggas horse and the slightly one-paced Sciampin. Both the runners-up will probably benefit from a step up in trip.
