JACOBS’ Crackers
The horse showed amazing courage to fend off a top-class field and make all the running in the Middle Park Stakes.
The two-year-old has been on the go since winning the Brocklesby Stakes in heavy ground in April and this was his tenth run of the season.
Fanning got the fractions just right on the front-runner and he kept enough up his sleeve to repel the favourite Blue Point and Mehmas in the £180,000 Newmarket contest.
He provided Mark Johnston’s No 1 jockey with a belated first Group One success.
Fanning said: “I’ve ridden a lot of Group Two and Three winners but never a Group One, so it’s nice to finally nail that one. It’s nice to do it and on one of Mark’s as well.
“The owner said if he was in the first five he’d have run well. We always thought he was better on soft ground, it’s quick today but he’s done it really well.”
Johnston said: “It’s fantastic for Joe. He’s ridden a huge number of winners for us over the years. He gives us loyalty. Many times he’s been jocked off over the years and had to play second fiddle. He never lets us down.”
Earlier, Brave Anna gave Aidan O’Brien a first victory in the Cheveley Park Stakes as US raider Lady Aurelia could only finish third.
SUNDAY SERVICE PLACED off ratings as high as 94 but now down to 85, today is the day to lump on ROTHERWICK in the 3.15 at Epsom.
Paul Cole’s charge once ran the smart Dutch Connection close as a juvenile and finished under three lengths fifth in the Britannia Handicap.
But this season the nap has slowly been finding his form and a good third of nine in a handicap at Doncaster a fortnight ago served notice his turn was close at hand again.
The good ground at the Surrey track should prove right up his street and he is taken to get the better of the well-weighted Hit The Jackpot.
I will also be having an each-way investment on the veteran MORACHE MUSIC in the 5.25.
The eight-year-old has looked a winner waiting to happen for some time and a never nearer fifth over 6f here five weeks ago suggests he has now found his correct level.
On a competitive card at Musselburgh, ONE BOY can take advantage of what looks sure to be a fast-run race and return to winning ways in the 3.05.
Captain Dunne and Ayresome Angel are sure to set a fearsome pace and Paul Midgley’s charge can pick up the pieces. CORONATION DAY looks the solid play in the 3.35, while GHOSTLY ARC could be the value pick in the staying handicap at 4.45.
ANTE POST With New Bay set to run in the Arc and Hawkbill ready to take in a target on the continent, the Champion Stakes at Ascot is already beginning to thin out and that makes ALMANZOR too big at 5-2.
The turn of foot he showed at Leopardstown was top notch and I reckon he could start nearer even-money.
THE WEEK AHEAD I am hoping that KING’S PAVILION (runs today Epsom 3.45) stands his ground at Ayr on Tuesday in the 5.00 having finally dropped to a realistic handicap mark. But even more important will be the likely give in the ground, which he adores.
HOT TO TROT BRANDON CASTLE was given a strange ride by Dougie Costello at Haydock on Friday and he looks a winner waiting to happen in a fast run 0-70 handicap over 12 furlongs.