Race Report - 8th November 2008
12.25 Mollart Cox Apprentice Handicap (7f)
MISPHIRE emerged as the first winner on 'Champions' Day at Doncaster. Not only did this meeting bring down the curtain on the British Flat Season with the renewal of the Tote-sponsored November Handicap, but it was also the day that awards were presented to the sport's highest achievers. Princess Haya of Jordan was crowned champion owner, Aidan O'Brien retained the trainers' title, Ryan Moore regained his champion jockey status and David Probert and William Buick shared the apprentice equivalent. Misphire, meanwhile, was given a fine ride by Kirsty Milczarek to score a 20-1 surprise in the opener and deny Probert the chance of winning the apprentice title outright. He was a narrow second on Cornus.
12.55 totesport betXtra EBF Maiden Stakes (6f)
James Given's DYNAMO DANE kept on strongly to beat fellow outsider Al Qeddaaf in this maiden, handling the soft ground well to confirm the promise of his previous run at Great Leighs. Tom Queally's mount may prove even better on a sounder surface and looks a fair prospect for 2009. Favourite Getcarter could finish only fifth for Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes, running too keenly in testing conditions. He will be of interest in nurseries, however.
1.30 totseport.com Nursery (6f)
Michael Jarvis's HARRY PATCH retained his unbeaten record with a determined stands side run. Philip Robinson always had the favourite well placed and this strong sort ought to progress as a three-year-old. Runner-up Kingswinford has been on the go all year and it is a credit to his trainer David Evans that he has retained his form so well. Back in third, Lucky Numbers showed his liking for easy ground and ran well under his 6lb penalty.
2.05 totseportcasino.com EBF Gillies Fillies' Stakes (Listed) (1m21/2f)
Kevin Ryan had only taken charge of LES FAZZANI a week earlier, as previous trainer Mark Wallace is off to Australia. Ryan must have been delighted by the convincing manner of her victory here. Darryll Holland dictated the race from the second he took up the running and further success should await this daughter of Intikhab next year. Kahara, who has been only lightly raced, was staying on in third and will appreciate a step back up in trip on this evidence.
2.35 totseportgames.com Wentworth Stakes (Listed) (6f)
This cracking sprint fell to former Italian Group Three winner ICELANDIC, who won with any amount in hand. Trained in Shropshire by Frank Sheridan, who used to be passed near Pisa, the six-year-old was produced with a smooth winning run by Hayley Turner to take some notable scalps. Runner-up Against The Grain, who had won the Ayr Silver Cup, showed his liking for the conditions yet again, while Chief Editor ran well in third, just ahead of the handicap find of the season, Ron Harris's Judge'N Jury.
3.10 £2 Million totsescoop6 November Handicap (1m4f)
The feature race of the day went to 20-1 outsider TROPICAL STRAIT, who ensured that jockey Martin Dwyer ended an otherwise disappointing season on a high note. David Arbuthnot's stayer had posted some decent efforts this year and readily outgunned runner-up The Betchworth Kid, who came from a long way back to mount a challenge under Hayley Turner. Both horses could be aimed at next year's Ebor Handicap. The winner was bred by owner George Ward, who was recovering from heart surgery but was on Town Moor to experience the success. Though three-year-olds boast a good record in the race, there was no joy for the fancied Electrolyser, who could finish only 16th.
3.45 totsesportbingo.com (7f)
INVINCIBLE FORCE obliged by a head to land this finale for Paul Green and Franny Norton, who had to dig deep to repel Barney McGrew. The first two home were both 33-1 shots, getting the better of the more fancied Charm School. John Gosden's lightly raced gelding can improve again next year, particularly if stepped up to a mile, and may prove an ideal type for next year's William Hill Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.
