Doyle joy as Farhan caps year
HOLLIE DOYLE rounded off “a great year” by driving Farhan to land a November Handicap gamble as the curtain came down on the Flat season at Doncaster.
Punters sent the John Butler trainee off the 9-2 favourite for the Virgin Bet-sponsored final big handicap of the campaign.
And Doyle delivered, sending Farhan to the front inside the final furlong to beat Calling The Wind by a length and three-quarters.
The 25-year-old jockey partnered a personal-best 159th winner of the calendar year that has also included a big-money victory in Saudi Arabia and a second career Group 1 aboard Trueshan in the Goodwood Cup.
Doyle said: “He’s very progressive. I could have got there a bit later, to be honest. He’s pricked his ears and run around in front. It’s an awesome way to cap off a great year.”
Peter Bowen will aim Mac Tottie at the Randox Grand National after the eightyear-old made the perfect start over the Aintree fences in the Betway Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.
Bowen said of the 20-1 winner: “Hopefully this will end up being a National horse – I think he’ll stay.
“It’s the fifth time we’ve won round those fences – it’s been a lucky place for us.”
Modern Games returned to boos after a sensational win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.
Vets scratched the Charlie Appleby colt – stable companion Albahr had reared in the neighbouring stall – believing Modern Games had broken out of the starting gate.
But Modern Games was reinstated to run for prize money only – he remained a non-runner in the California track’s pari-mutuel betting – after it transpired the assistant starter had released his stall.
The race went swimmingly as William Buick’s mount scored by a length and a half.
The winning jockey said: “He took everything in his stride. The booing was disappointing because he put up a very good performance.”
RACHAEL BLACKMORE rattled off a 14-1 four-timer at Naas, with victories aboard Uhtred (4-9f), Captain Guinness (6-5f), Eric Bloodaxe (5-4f) and Mr Incredible (11-10f).