Grounds for optimism as Bateel shines
● Filly shows her Group 1 potential in Haydock win
With Royal Ascot on the horizon, the quality of racing over the weekend was understandably rather low-key. Nevertheless, there was still a smart performer on show in the Betway Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock where Bateel showed that, given the soft conditions that she loves, she is not far off a Group One filly.
Transferred from David Simcock to Francis-henri Graffard in France in the anticipation of getting her favoured ground more often, it was somewhat ironic she ended up on Merseyside. Beaten just over two lengths in a Group One last year, she was in a different league to her Group Three rivals and stiffer tests now await the 2-1 favourite, but she will not go anywhere unless there is cut in the ground.
Johnnie Peter-hoblyn, racing manager for Bateel’s owners, Al Asayl Bloodstock, said: “On this ground she’s a very good filly and all the good mile-and-a-half races will be open to her, but we’ll pick and choose when the ground is right. The Prix de Pomone is a big target in the autumn and hopefully she’ll be back at Ascot on Champions Day. She ran there last year – the ground was rock hard but every other year it has been soft.”
Andrew Balding’s owners will be asking the Kingsclere handler to stay at home
0 Bateel triumphed in The Betway Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock. in future after Absolutely So landed the Betway John of Gaunt Stakes. Balding has now missed his three biggest winners of the season, having also been absent at Chester when Montaly claimed the Chester Cup and Blond Me won the Middleton Stakes at York.
Godolphin’s colours were carried to victory in the first four races at Newmarket, with expensive purchase Glorious Journey introduced into the market for next year’s Qipco 2000 Guineas after making a winning debut.
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson could scarcely conceal his delight yesterday, as L’ami Serge delivered him French Champion Hurdle success at Auteuil following a terrific Daryl Jacob ride. The Seven Barrows trainer said: “The horse was great and that was one of the best rides you’ll ever see, because we had no idea he’d stay. It was experimental.”
Ayr hosts a seven-race card today, starting with the toteplacepot Racing’s Favourite Bet Novice Stakes over six furlongs. Richard Fahey sends Crown of Cortez, the mount of Paul Hanagan and Tommy Shelby (Barry Mchugh) from his North Yorkshire base. Carluke trainer Keith Dalgleish saddles Here Comes The Dark with Connor Beasley riding.
The biggest field of the afternoon sees 12 runners go to post in the totepool Like Us On Facebook Handicap over seven furlongs and Magistral is an interesting contender having his first run for Galston trainer Mike Smith.
The feature race is the totepool betting On All UK Racing Handicap over five furlongs where Hanagan rides Grandad’s World for Richard Fahey and Jim Goldie’s Goninodaethat attempts to win at the track for the ninth time.
The day concludes with The Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Handicap over one mile five furlongs for lady amateurs and a top jockey in this sphere is Carol Bartley who rides the Karl Burke trained Lady Natasha.