Saturday 31st July 2010
Vesuve back to winning ways
VESUVE got back to winning ways in the Adnams Distillery EBF Conditions Stakes for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor and jockey Ted Durcan.
The son of Green Tune, the 1/2 favourite, was a dual in France last year and made an encouraging British debut when second to Cesare earlier this month.
The field was taken along by Slap And Tickle with Durcan adopting a position in the midfield. The leader came back to the remaining runners 2f out at which point Vesuve kicked for home.
He soon went clear and Durcan never had to get too hard on his mount, who won by four and a half lengths.
Durcan said: “That was a nice confidence boost for him and he did it well. He enjoyed getting his toe-in and is a nice horse.”
The Adnams Bitter Fillies’ Nursery was taken in game fashion by the Jamie Osborne-trained Fifth Commandment under Sophie Doyle.
The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor, a 10/1 chance, made all the running and showed a good attitude to hold off the challenges of Masaya.
Mark Pennick, joint owner of the winner said: “We were not very confident because there has been a lot of rain and she really prefers firm ground.
“But what she lacks in size she has got in heart and she tries very hard. Hopefully there is more to come from her.”
Hot Spark returned the 33/1 winner of the Adnams Broadside handicap for Jon Akehurst, ending a losing run spanning 110 days for the Epsom trainer.
The son of Firebreak, ridden by Dane O’Neill, looked to enjoy the rain-softened ground and was always holding the persistent challenge from Tesslam to win by two lengths.
A delighted Akehurst said: “I am absolutely over the moon as I have been on the 'cold list' so it has been very frustrating.
“We brought this horse for 12,000gns at the July Sales and his work has been good. He had never run on this ground and he looks he acted on it well.”
Jockey Jimmy Fortune was seen at his best on Critical Moment (9/2) in the Adnams Explorer handicap.
The Andrew Balding-trained filly was never far away from the pace and travelled strongly throughout.
Chain of Events appeared the likely winner going into the Dip but was no match for Critical Event who ran on strongly to take up the running inside the final furlong, going on to win by a length.
The daughter of Noverre was a winner at Chepstow last time out and looks to be an improving type.
Fortune and Balding completed a double when Topolski landed the May Day handicap in the colours of Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds.
The 15/8 favourite had to work hard to fight off North Cape and Peintre d’Argent but he did the job well in the end, scoring by three-quarters of a length.
Theyskens' Theory will be aimed at loftier targets having got off the mark in good style in the Tally Ho Tipster EBF maiden for trainer Brian Meehan and jockey Martin Dwyer.
The daughter of Bernardini, a 3/1 chance, looked to have come on for her debut run at the Champagne Lanson July Festival and showed a professional attitude to win this competitive maiden.
Dwyer took his mount straight to the lead and she never gave up that position. She had all her rivals at work a long way out and quickened up impressively to win by five lengths.
Patrick McKeown, assistant to Meehan, said: “She is a lovely filly. She was very green first time out and really came on for the run.
“The boss will see how she is but the Fillies’ Mile is her main target.”
The finale, the Robert Palmer Memorial handicap, was taken by the 2/1 favourite Watch Amigo for trainer Walter Swinburn and jockey Shane Kelly.
The next meeting on the July Course will be staged this Friday, 6 August when Madness will perform after racing.
By Jackie Jarvis.
