Race Report - 27th June 2008
2.20 EBF Society Lifestyle And Leisure Magazine Maiden Fillies' Stakes (6f)
Barry Hills, who boasts such a fine record at Doncaster, was responsible for the well-backed FARAWAY FLOWER, who looked in a different league. Produced widest of all by Michael Hills, the daughter of Distant View soon took command to put two and a half lengths between herself and Moonlight Affair. The winner looks capable of competing at a higher level, while favourite Peter's Gift was unable to build on her Town Moor debut, fading to be only sixth of the seven runners.
2.50 Royal British Legion National Veterans Day Maiden Stakes (6f)
Silvanus was backed as though defeat was out of the question, but William Haggas's gelding was harried for the lead by Braille and never looked at ease. The one to profit was 25-1 outsider AMICUS MEUS, who completed an across-the-card double for Alan Bailey. Despite being slowly away, and his saddle slipping, the Danehill Dancer colt finished well on his comeback from a lengthy lay-off.
3.25 Great British Golf Show Doncaster 2008 Novice Stakes (7f)
Paul Cole's WILDCAT WIZARD was well fancied to extend his unbeaten record and did so by the skin of his teeth from Bryan Smart's staying on Prime Spirit. The winner was headed but battled back gamely under a fine ride by Joe Fanning and is certainly going the right way. Smart's runner-up lost nothing in defeat and may be even better over a mile in time. Motor Home had no answer to the injection of pace of the first two and, though put in his place, has more races in him.
4.00 Securitas Security Services Handicap (1m4f)
The money was down on Paul d'Arcy's SIR DUKE, who didn't disappoint in the hands of Eddie Ahern, holding the persistent challenge of New Beginning and Birkside in the closing stages. The consistent winner is not yet the finished article, according to his trainer, but may improve enough this season for connections to consider a crack at the November Handicap over the same trip at Doncaster.
4.35 Wakefield Hospice Handicap (6f)
Writingonthewall, the favourite, was appropriately named, as he came under pressure over a furlong from home. It was AVEROO, for rookie trainer Michael Squance, who got up to win. Squance, a former assistant to Paul Howling in Newmarket, saw his charge stretch well clear of Pretty Bonnie and Embra, who filled the minor placings. Michael Bell's Writingonthewall looked as though he needs to step back up in trip.
5.05 crownhotel-bawtry.com Handicap (7f)
Stewart Parr's SPIRIT OF A NATION had run well at Redcar and duly followed up here. Trained nearby at Martin Grange in Bawtry, the winner powered up the outside for William Buick to leave Astrodonna treading water in second. Flower, the joint-favourite, couldn't quicken when it mattered but stayed on and will be winning, while fourth placed Opus Maximus deserved to be closer after suffering a nightmare passage. He remains one to be interested in.
5.35 Business Yorkshire Exhibition And Conference Handicap (7f)
This race produced one of the most remarkable finishes in the history of the sport. SADEEK, who had edged narrowly in front of Yorkshire Blue and Violent Velocity, had the winning post in his sight when his saddle slipped badly inside the final 50 yards. In an instant, jockey Royston ffrench found himself hanging under the horse's neck, but remarkable swung his right leg back over the 5-1 chance to finish the race. The fact that he stayed on was amazing enough, but to win made this performance one that will be talked about and replayed for years to come.
