Thursday 14th May
FOUR Winds delivered a Royal winner at Newmarket this evening and is now Royal Ascot-bound following a smooth victory in The Simon Gibson Conditions Stakes.
The 11-10 favourite raced predominantly on the near-side under Jamie Spencer as the outsider Rossatron blazed a trail upfront.
But from the moment Spencer drew into serious contention to lead over 2f out the result never looked in doubt.
Four Winds edged slightly across the track late on but still ran out a two-length winner.
The victorious trainer Michael Bell said: “He is maturing both physically and mentally and is a nice horse to have.
“We will now go to the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot where he should have a solid chance for the Queen.”
Trainer Henry Cecil recorded a one-two in The Orbital Foods Maiden Stakes with 20-1 chance Gripsholm Castle landing the spoils.
It was an impressive victory by the daughter of Dynaformer who came off the pace to win by four and a half lengths.
Cecil said: "They went quite fast and she stayed on to win well. The second is a nice horse too but she probably felt the ground."
The Guardian Direct Marketing Print, Pack and Post Handicap went to Seeking The Buck for Ralph Beckett and Tom Queally.
The 10-1 chance was an impressive three-and-a-quarter length winner, having been ridden prominently to take up the running 2f out.
The IFF Charity Trust Median Auction Maiden Stakes was won in taking style by the Mark Johnston-trained The Hermitage at odds of 1-2.
This good-looking daughter of Kheleyf clearly benefited from her racecourse debut at Beverley 10 days ago when she was second.
Jockey Joe Fanning was able to dictate the pace, quickening the tempo at The Bushes and surging away to score by three and a half lengths.
Fanning said: “She was green on her debut but she has come on for that and is a nice speedy filly.”
Bombina took The St Nicholas Hospice Care Fillies’ handicap in cosy fashion for Peter Chapple-Hyam and Adrian McCarthy.
McCarthy settled the 13-2 shot in midfield and timed his run to perfection, just getting up in the final furlong to score by a neck.
Racing resumes at the Rowley Mile racecourse tomorrow (Friday) when the first race is set for 2pm.
By Jackie Jarvis