Strike it lucky
LUCKY DEAL can get his season off to a winning start in the Subscribe To Racing UK On YouTube Novice Stakes at Thirsk tomorrow.
Trainer Mark Johnston thinks enough of this colt to have given him a long-range entry in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, so this 12-furlong contest could well be the springboard to much better days.
This son of Mastercraftsman made a late start to his juvenile campaign, running very green on his debut over nine furlongs at Redcar at the back end of October.
He was all at sea in finishing third that day, but the experience was clearly not lost on him as he then went on to score over a furlong further on the Chelmsford all-weather in November.
The form of that win is probably nothing special, but the second was a previous winner for John Gosden and Lucky Deal impressed in making every yard for a two-length verdict.
He shaped like a strong stayer that day and gets a chance to build on that impression as he steps up in trip again here.
Feathery lost out by just a head last time but can gain compensation in the Watch Racing UK In Stunning HD Fillies’ Handicap.
Charlie Fellowes’ charge is still a maiden after nine runs but her recent Nottingham effort suggests she does have a race such as this in her.
Having been dropped back to seven furlongs when disappointing at Doncaster in March, switching back up to a mile showed her in a much better light as she just had to concede to a better-treated rival.
The handicapper has left her along following that run and she can take advantage off a perch of 78.
Elysian Flyer made a promising return off a long break last month and is one to follow in the Watch Racing UK On TalkTalk TV Handicap.
He appeared to feel the benefit of the wind surgery he had undergone during his downtime and remains on a reasonably mark having been rated as high as 105 in the past.
Haylah can spearhead a double for Richard Hannon and owner Al Shaqab Racing in the Call Star Sports On 08000 521 321 Novice Stakes at Brighton.
A lack of pace possibly scuppered her chances at Lingfield on her latest run, but this daughter of Epaulette certainly appears to have the ability to win when things pan out in her favour.
Ateem can complete the team’s brace in the starspreads.com Handicap after hitting the crossbar already twice this year.
4-1 Led, quickened 2 lengths clear approaching final furlong, ridden inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Mesquite at Lingfield 7f Novice Stakes (3yo) (5) pol in Apr. 12-1 Dwelt, soon chasing leaders on inside, 2nd over 1f out, led final 150 yards, stayed on, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr beating Oud Metha Bridge by 3/4l, 14 ran. 7-2fav Made virtually all, ridden when hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, just held on, won at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Duke Of North by shd, 7 ran. (15) R Fahey 9-2 ....................... P Hanagan (10)BHaslam9-2 ..................... CHardie (10) N Tinkler 9-2 .................. L Edmunds (3) D O’Meara 9-2 .............................. Daniel Tudhope Miss Amy Murphy 9-2 ....................... L De Souza M W Easterby 9-2 ................ Nathan Evans M Johnston 9-2 .............. P J McDonald (17) T Coyle 8-11 ............................ D Costello Julie Camacho 8-11 ............................. P Mulrennan BETTING: 11-8 Bengali Spirit, 11-4 Victory Command, 6 Fastman, 10 Dragon Beat, 14 Lorton, 16 Melgate Magic, Mazeo Lad, 25 Blazing Dreams, Bouncin Back. J McDonald D Carroll 9-0 .............................................. T Eaves H Spiller 9-0 .............................. Ben Curtis (19) C Fellowes 9-0 ...................... S Donohoe D O’Meara 9-0 ............................ Daniel Tudhope J Gosden 9-0 .............................. R Havlin (227) H Palmer 9-0 (BF) ........................ D Brock (18) A Balding 9-0 ..................... M Dwyer (241) M Dods 9-0 ............................. P Mulrennan (15)MWalford9-0 .......................... JHart (11)TEasterby9-0 .................................... DAllan BETTING: 13-8 Mystic Meg, 9-4 Margie’s Choice, 6 Makawee, 12 Private Cashier, 14 Herringswell, 16 Snowdon, Bea Ryan, 20 Lady Safeara, 33 Others. (18) C Hills 9-8 .................. P Hanagan (24) J Gosden 9-8 ............................. R Havlin (166) M Johnston 9-8 ................... P J McDonald (17) R Beckett 9-2 ........ Daniel Tudhope (19) H Palmer 9-2 .................... Josephine Gordon (15) A Balding 9-2 .................................... M Dwyer (181) R Charlton 9-2 ................. K Shoemark K Dalgleish 9-2 ............................. P Mulrennan BETTING: 2 Hinde Street, 9-4 Bartholomeu Dias, 9-2 Blazing Saddles, 7 Lucky Deal, 10 Great Beyond, 14 Caliburn, 33 Colenso, Wardaddy. (221) G Tuer 5 9-7 .......... C Beasley (89) D O’Meara 4 9-6 ........... Daniel Tudhope (17) Rebecca Bastiman 4 9-4 (D2) .... Phil Dennis (3) (9) J J Davies 5 9-3 (C2) ................ P Makin (11) T Easterby 4 9-2 ......... D Fentiman (41) M Walford 8 9-0 (D4) ......................... J Hart (45) K Ryan 4 8-13 (D2) .................................... T Eaves (27) C Fellowes 7 8-13 ............. A Beech (7) (41) Julie Camacho 4 8-8 (D2) .... P Hanagan BETTING: 7-2 Mango Chutney, 4 Dreamofdiscovery, 5 Buckland Beau, Vive La Difference, 8 Wonderfillo, 10 Tagur, Mywayistheonlyway, 12 Woody Bay, 16 Edgar Allan Poe.