Robin can get off to flier
Robin Weathers can make a splash on his handicap debut at Sandown.
William Haggas has wasted no time in switching spheres with this Elusive Quality gelding after he made a successful bow in maiden company at Salisbury last month.
Lining up in what appeared to be a decent seven-furlong event, Robin Weathers was made to work hard for the victory, eventually seeing off Killay by a nose.
The narrow margin perhaps fails to tell the whole story as Robin Weathers was a bit green that day and did not chart the best course, but his attitude was certainly very pleasing.
The handicapper has not gone too mad with an initial mark of 84 in the Watch Racing UK Anywhere Handicap and Robin Weathers can take the step up to a mile in his stride. John Gosden appears to hold the key to both divisions of the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes with Emaraaty and Graffiti Master.
Emaraaty lines up in the first heat and he is sure to attract plenty of support given he is a Dubawi half-brother to Group One performers Izzi Top and Jazzi Top.
He cost 2.6 million guineas last autumn and connections will surely be disappointed if he is not in the shake-up.
Graffiti Master is a similarly well-bred individual in the second division, again a son of Dubawi but also a half-brother to Mount Nelson.
His presence also marks the return of the famous maroon with white star colours that are now carried by Sheikh Mohammed’s Sheikha Al Jalila.
Full Intention appears to have dropped to a very attractive mark ahead of the Theakston Lightfoot Handicap at Thirsk.
Tom Dascombe’s runner was successful at Wolverhampton back in March off a mark of 84, but he lines up on a perch of 81 here after subsequently failing to find that winning groove again.
Gelded in April, Full Intention ran an excellent race at Haydock the following month before slightly losing his way again in the high summer months. He showed improved form when third at Ripon at the start of August, though, and he might just be starting to come right again now.
Fieldsman has hit the bar on his last two starts but can gain his moment in the spotlight in the Nick Quinn 50 Not Out Handicap.
Beaten a neck at Redcar on his penultimate start before going down by three-quarters of a length at Yarmouth last week, Fieldsman is clearly in good heart and the decision to turn out again quickly means he is 2lb well in on his revised rating.
daughter, Kikini Bamalaam led home Ventura Gold to provide owners Middleham Park Racing with a one-two at Musselburgh.
Ventura Gold hit the front in the final furlong of the second division of the Addleshaw Goddard LLP Nurseryhandicap,butafter a slow start, the Keith Dalgleish-trained Kikini Bamalaam charged home under Connor Beasley to score by three-quarters of a length.
Beasley went on to complete a double aboard Richard Guest’s 5-2 favourite My Girl Maisie in the Tuv-sud Handicap.
Trainer Ollie Pears and jockey Andrew Mullen combined to land the first division of the nursery with 4-1 joint-favourite Placebo Effect.
Themostvaluableeventof the afternoon was the EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies’ Handicap, with victory going to the William Haggas-trained Tirania.
The 15-8 chance was last of five runners on straightening up for home and had the
0 Keith Dalgleish: Winner. door shut on her a couple of times when going for a gap.
Switching wide, she went through the gears impressively and was well on top as she passed the post threequarters of a length clear of Peach Melba, who was the 13-8 favourite to secure her fourth successive win.
David O’meara’s Debawtry, runner-up on her Beverley debut, went one better as the 4-7 favourite for the Witherbys Novice Auction Stakes under Phillip Makin.
Raselasad justified 6-4 favouritism for Tracy Waggott and Royston Ffrench in the Brown Shipley Handicap, while Mark Johnston’s 2-1 shot Bonnie Arlene won the Dam Wealth Management Fillies’ Handicap in the hands of Joe Fanning.