BUICK SWOOPS TO VICTORY
Eclipse joy for Hawkbill
bred for the game but has enough size and class about him to see off Party Rock.
I expect a big display from the 6f handicap at Naas (3.35), while the best bet at Limerick could be MYLES AHEAD at an each-way price in the 5.00. THE WEEK AHEAD I am just going to go with the one selection this week with SPIRIT RAISER set to run in a Listed event at Pontefract on Wednesday at 3.10. She was unsuited by the soft ground in the Royal Hunt Cup and can bounce back for James Fanshawe in this £40,000 contest. ANTE-POST FOCUS The July Cup on Saturday looks a real teaser but with the forecast still looking unsettled Air Force Blue looks vulnerable again.
Waady looks ready for a sixth furlong and Twilight Son should go close to following up his game Royal Ascot success but I am going to go out on a limb with AROD.
The five-year-old has never run over 6f but with his high cruising speed he is made for this race and he may surprise his rivals at a huge price of 40-1.
HOT TO TROT BOTH SIDES was a huge eyecatcher on Friday at Sandown. Heavily punted from 9-2 into 9-4, he became trapped on the rails and had nowhere to go at the distance. Compensation awaits.
PAUL JACOBS
And it gave jockey William Buick the perfect send-off as he starts a 30-day ban.
The 6-1 shot was supplemented for the Sandown showpiece for £30,000 after victory at Royal Ascot and travelled sweetly for Buick just behind the leaders.
Taking it up well over a furlong out, Hawkbill was joined by odds-on favourite The Gurkha and the two three-year-olds produced a tremendous battle, with Charlie Appleby’s colt winning by half a length.
Buick, on his last day in the saddle before starting his huge riding ban imposed by the French stewards, said: “What a lovely horse and what a call by the whole team to supplement the horse. It’s absolutely BELLE VUE FANCIES Anglesey Gwalch (Nap) (1-3-4) Babsys Best (3-6-1) Tally Ho Rainbow (3-6-1) Mcdara Izzy (3-4-6) Gurtnacrehy Sean (2-1-4) Thornfield Pixie (2-3-4)
Black Lash Ash (2-4-6) Farah (6-4-5) Ballymac Clover (4-1-2) Myway Grayson (1-2-4)
Scotts Noodles (1-2-5) Sister No Mercy (3-1-2) HOVE FANCIES Missile Command (Nap) (3-1-6) Jumeirah Henry (1-3-4) Clairekeith Kiri (2-3-4) Not Tied Down (3-2-4) Albion Together (5-4-1) Ballymac Pod (6-5-1)
Alist Kattrina (4-1-5) Roses Risk (6-1-5) Twilight Rumble (5-4-6) Water Tax (4-1-6)
Kilmurry Luke (2-4-3) Myles Baby (1-4-2) KINSLEY FANCIES Daras Confirmed (Nap) (6-5-2) Boherduff Dawn (4-1-3) Isabella Clare (4-5-1) Ushers Tim (2-1-5) Snappies Dream (6-4-5) Fennis Lenson (1-5-2)
Wheres Terry (2-3-5) Velvet JASON HEAVEY fantastic. Winning these big races is very important but so hard to do and this horse has come at an important time for me.”
Aidan O’Brien felt The Gurkha might have found the 10-furlong trip a step too far in the rain-softened ground.
He said: “We always viewed him as a miler and because he did so well after Ascot we thought we’d take in this race on the way to the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
“He travelled very well. I’m not sure but maybe his stamina just ran out a little bit in the soft ground.
“He handles the ground, but maybe when a horse is that pacy it can get them.
“It was a little bit messy off the bend, things didn’t go exactly as you would want but he ran very well.” Annie (4-6-3) Scarthy Lass (4-3-2) Going For Broke (1-5-4)
Pennys Niatross (2-6-5) Bartlemy Knoxy (4-1-6) Sporting Prince (4-3-5) Champ (6-4-3) PERRY BARR FANCIES
Slinky Topsun (6-2-3) Droopys Calling (6-3-2) Ballymac Beauty (1-4-6) Doon Joker (5-2-3) Highfire Fuzzy (Nap) (6-3-1) Ooaar Assarula (3-2-1)
Marshbrook Ivy (4-5-6) Mags Rising (5-4-2) Boundtobefreddie (1-4-5) Rustletheleaves (6-2-4) Nomadic Timo (5-6-4) Forge Melody (6-3-5) Overdale Dante (4-6-1)
My Special Lady (2-4-3) Swan