Racing at Newmarket

19 October

Inler

INLER returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in a year, taking the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Conditions Stakes today.

Trainer Brian Meehan’s charge made every yard in the mile contest, beating the favourite Secrecy by a length.

Jimmy Fortune deserves plenty of credit for the enterprising ride, but Meehan indicated that rider Richard Hughes deserves his share of praise.

Meehan said: “Richard rode him the last time and he thought we’d been riding the horse incorrectly and that we should make more use of him. That’s what we’ve done today, so thanks to Richard for that.

“He is in the sales next week, but I will speak to the owners as I would like to keep hold of him.”

Lord ofthe Shadows rounded off a busy season with victory in the Express Cafes Houghton Conditions Stakes. The Richard Hannon-trained colt swamped Leqqaa at the furlong pole and went on to score by a length and three-quarters in the mile race.

Richard Hannon jnr, assistant to his father Richard, said: “He was a bit unlucky last time in a Listed race at Salisbury but he settled very well today and won well. He is a nice horse for next year.”

If there was a horse to take for the future from today’s action, it would have to be Diala, winner of the Express Coffee Cars Median Auction Maiden.

She is now 25/1 for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas after an impressive victory on what was her second career start. The William Haggas-trained filly’s ability was well known following her debut second to subsequent Group 1 winner Lyric Of Light.

And this afternoon she made light work of beating her 15 rivals, scoring by four lengths from Safari. Haggas revealed that her season may not be over yet with the Montrose Stakes, back at the Rowley Mile racecourse, under consideration for her, a week on Saturday.

Godolphin took both divisions of the Warrens of Warwick-sponsored mile maiden - but neither were the choice of stable jockey Frankie Dettori. He opted elsewhere in both races and saw fellow Godolphin rider Ahmed Ajtebi boot home a pair of winners.

Kiz Kulesi, a 14/1 shot, showed a lovely long stride in pipping another promising newcomer Danchai and then Ajtebi got the nod in a photo-finish aboard 20/1 outsider Pembrey with Mubaraza just touched off in a cracking finish.


There was an exciting tussle between favourite Ellaal and Periphery in the Sterling Solutions Maiden, which went the way of the former. But jockey Richard Hills had to pull out all the stops aboard Ellaal in securing success by a short head.

Bank On Me sprang a 25/1 surprise for trainer Charlie McBride in the MC Seafoods & Norfolk Ice Cream Maiden Auction race. The Medicean colt showed marked improvement on two previous runs, holding the runner-up Quizzed by a length and a half.

Trainer David Lanigan is set to leave Newmarket for a Lambourn base in December and he’ll take an exciting horse with him in the shape of Main Sequence.

The Niarchos-family owned two-year-old followed up his Yarmouth debut victory with a 7/2 strike in the Thai Stree Café Nursery. Patiently ridden by Ted Durcan, he was produced in the closing stages of the 1m 1f event and powered to a stylish three and a quarter length win.

Lanigan said: “I am delighted for the Niarchos family, who have been a supporter of mine since day one. He is the nicest horse I’ve had with them yet. He is a scopey horse who will strengthen up over the winter.”

Newmarket completes its 2011 season with a two-day fixture, beginning on Friday, October 28.

By Tony Rushmer