17 September
TELL Dad scooped the lion's share of the £200,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy with an impressive victory under jockey Richard Mullen.
The Richard Hannon-trained gelding was first seen as early as April at our Craven meeting.
In fact, this was the fourth race he has run on the Rowley Mile track and what a time to pull out a first win here.
Andrew Tinkler's 8/1 chance burst out of the pack to scoot clear and win by two and three quarter lengths from Alkazim, securing a £108,000 pay-day for connections.
Tim Jones, racing manager for the owner, said: “What a little cracker! This was his Derby. He has been 'on the go' for a bit and really deserved it.
“He doesn't really handle the Dip here, it's only when he meets the rising ground and stretches out that he starts to enjoy himself.”
Mullen completed a double on the afternoon when hitting the target aboard the Alan Bailey-trained Indian Jack in the HQ Hospitality handicap.
The £100,000 Tattersalls Fillies’ Median Auction Stakes went the way of the Clive Brittain-trained Wahylah who chose the perfect day to break her maiden.
Saeed Manana’s filly was fifth in a Group 3 on her last start and scored by a neck from Glee in the hands of Tom McLaughlin.
Winning trainer Clive Brittain explained: “Last time she got stuck in traffic and didn't get here in time to be saddled properly.
“She came out and there was a sign on the big screen that flashed, so she dug her toes in and dropped Philip (Robinson). Then she had to be hand led to the start. She had a horrible experience.”
Jockey Rab Havlin had a welcome double at his local track, thanks to Cosimo de Medici and Gathering. Cosimo de Medici laid down a marker with a 13/2 triumph in the Betfred Cesarewitch Trial, going in by a length from Dark Ranger at odds of 13/2.
Havlin had earlier taken the British Stallion Stud Supporting British Racing EBF Maiden Fillies' aboard the John Gosden-trained Gathering.
The 3/1 shot was always to the fore under Havlin, travelling kindly. Last off the bridle, she found sufficient to settle the matter long before the line and eventually prevailed by a length and a quarter from the favourite Bana Wu.
Qushchi (3/1F) returned to the scene of her maiden win to take the EBF ‘Notnowcato’ Fillies’ handicap for trainer William Jarvis and jockey Tom Queally.
The daughter of Encosta De Lago, who races in the famous apricot colours of Lady Howard de Walden, showed a tremendous attitude to get up close home beating Quizz Mistress by a length and a quarter.
Charlie Perrett, representing the winning owner, said: “Like her dam, La Persiana, she is very tough and stayed the trip well.”
The concluding Shoeburyness Conservative Club handicap was won by the 11/2 chance Murura under a strong ride by David Probert for in-form trainer Kevin Ryan.
Day one of the three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting kicks off this Thursday.
