Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SPACE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD
Fahey’s Traveller set to launch the Flat season in style
SPACE TRAVELLER can give punters lift-off on the opening day of the 2021 Flat season by landing the Listed Unibet Doncaster Mile Stakes (2.00).
Richard Fahey’s son of Bated Breath was limited to just one start last year, when finishing sixth to Circus Maximus in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
That effort reads well in the context of today’s race, as does Space Traveller’s form of 2019.
In addition to success in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes on the Royal heath, Space Traveller lifted the Group 2 Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown in September. Kieran Shoemark’s mount escapes a penalty here and, with Fahey adamant the five-year-old has no excuses on the score of fitness, a bold show is on the cards.
Ed Bethell has a solid candidate for the Unibet Spring Mile Handicap (2.35) in the shape of ARTISTIC RIFLES.
Bethell has taken over from his father James at the helm of the Thorngill Stables in Middleham, and Artistic Rifles shaped with promise when third to United Front at Newcastle last month. That was the son of War Command’s first start for five months, so he can be expected to strip fitter here. He spends most of his time running with credit at a higher level, so BRANDO enjoys a class edge in the Listed Unibet Cammidge Trophy Stakes (3.45). At Kempton, top weight may not anchor AL ZARAQAAN in the Ladbrokes Rosebery Handicap (2.15). The William Haggas-trained colt won each of his three starts last year and Al Zaraqaan (left) has more to offer.
John and Thady Gosden had their first winner as a training partnership yesterday at Lingfield, and GLOBAL GIANT should carry on the good work in the Listed Ladbrokes Magnolia Stakes (1.45).
Newbury’s Grade 2 EBF Betvictor ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (3.25) looks open, but MISTY WHISKY put up a personal best at Sandown last time. The Betvictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2.50) is a good opportunity for HUDSON DE GRUGY to continue his good recent form.