The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Natalie’s Joy can restore Johnston faith
Royal Ascot run can be banished with winning return to track at Newbury
NATALIE’S JOY can banish the memories of Royal Ascot in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.
Sent off favourite for the Chesham Stakes last month, she ran too badly to be true in seventh behind Arthur Kitt.
The fact Mark Johnston had no qualms at all about taking on the boys with her spoke volumes, but distress signals were being sent out from halfway.
It is hard to know what affected her – maybe the occasion was all too much on just her second start – but she had looked so impressive on her debut at Goodwood that it is far too early to write her off.
That day she absolutely blitzed the field, winning by six lengths and looking a Group performer in the making. She deserves another chance.
There might be even more to come from John Gosden’s ROCOCO now she is stepping further up in trip for the Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants Fillies’ Handicap.
The Dubai filly took a while to open her account, but at the fourth time of asking and on her handicap debut she absolutely bolted up.
That was her first run over a mile and a half and now she faces another two furlongs, but she looks all about stamina.
A 10lb rise for her six-length win might not be enough to stop her following up.
The best bet at Hamilton looks to be
CLASSIC SENIORITY for Marjorie Fife in the Heineken UK Scottish Stewards’ Cup Handicap now he is back down to a winnable mark.
SELECTIONS
HAMILTON: 5.45 Ladies First, 6.20 Showout, 6.50 Mujassam, 7.20 Classic Seniority, 7.55 Shailene, 8.25 Royal Cosmic, 8.55 Take A Turn.
NEWBURY: 2.00 Momkin, 2.30 Magnetic Charm, 3.05 Rococo, 3.35 NATALIE’S JOY (NAP), 4.10 Nathan, 4.40 Air Of York, 5.10 Affluence.
DOUBLE: Natalie’s Joy and Rococo.