13th April
THERE was a blanket finish to the feature of day one of the Craven Meeting, the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes, with Barefoot Lady landing the spoils for trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Paul Hanagan.
Fahey and Hanagan had already teamed up for another big-race winner on the card with Sir Reginald in the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3YO Sprint.
Barefoot Lady, a 14/1 chance, was produced late on the scene by Hanagan, snatching the prize from the favourite Sing Softly.
Fahey said: “She is a very genuine filly. You never know how good these horses are when they are so genuine at home.
“She's not in the 1,000 Guineas but her owner Norman Steel is keen to supplement her. She should stay and she was fit today, so she wouldn't probably come on much more for it.”
Sir Reginald, Fahey’s first winner of the afternoon, stayed on strongly in the closing stages to hold the challenges of Madany and Khor Sheed scooping over £80,000 for owner Jim McGrath.
Fahey said of his 4/1 winner: “That’s our third try at a big pot so it’s great to win one. He was meant to be sold to Hong Kong over the winter but failed the vet.
“This was the target for a long time – this was his Derby.”
Pausanias looked a horse to keep on the right side of following a smooth win in the Bet At bluesquare.com European Free Handicap.
The Richard Hannon-trained son of Kyllachy is now three wins from four starts and the nature of his victory today suggests that he has a big future.
Richard Hughes settled the 10/3 shot towards the outside where he travelled strongly. Hughes made his move 2f out and swept past his rivals to win by a length.
A delighted Hannon said: “He did it well as I was worried about the ground, being a Kyllachy. He definitely wants a mile as he’ll come on a lot for this – he’s a big, burly boy.
“He’s in the German Guineas which could be the place for him.”
There was another close finish in the Blue Square Feilden Stakes when the Frankie Dettori ridden- Dordogne (7/2) held off Happy Today by a head.
Trainer Mark Johnston said: “I thought that the trip might be a bit short for him as he won over nine furlongs last year but this race is often won by a stayer.
“He is very game and did it the hard way. Frankie (Dettori) suggested a race like the Sandown Classic Trial so I would think that’s the sort of race we’ll look at.”
Jack Who’s He maintained his unbeaten record when taking the Equine Products UK Conditions Stakes under jockey Cathy Gannon.
The David Evans-trained colt was headed in the closing stages by Tell Dad but battled back gamely to score by a head.
Evans said of his 5/4 winner: “He ran green when he won at Leicester first time and he was still learning today.
“He definitely wants six (furlongs) now and we’ll see how he is but he could go to Royal Ascot for something there.”
Commended got the season under way with a hard-fought success in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes for trainer Barry Hills and jockey Michael Hills.
The son of Royal Applause, sent off the 11/4 favourite, was forced to dig deep by Akfar but the line came just in time and he recorded a head victory.
Hills said: “This horse has a very high cruising speed. That was very pleasing as the horses aren’t quite there yet.
“Seven furlongs is as far as he wants and we wouldn’t mind dropping him back to six (furlongs.)”
Mikael Barzalona, one of France’s most up and coming young jockeys, made his first trip to HQ a fruitful one when winning the Download The Blue Square iphone app Maiden Stakes aboard 4/1 chance Ocean War.
The son of Dalakhani, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, stepped up on his encouraging first run at Sandown last season to win this competitive maiden.
Favourite backers went home happy when the progressive Acclamazing (9/4f) landed the finale, the blue square-sponsored handicap, for trainer Marco Botti and jockey Adam Kirby.
Day two of the Craven Meeting kicks off tomorrow at 1:50.
