31 August 2020

Bahrain Pride is impressive at Ripon

31 August 2020

Bahrain Pride maintained his unbeaten record with a thoroughly impressive display in the EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.

A winner on his racecourse debut at Windsor a fortnight ago, Simon and Ed Crisford’s youngster was a 4-1 shot as he stepped up to Listed class in North Yorkshire.

Drawn widest of all in stall one, Bahrain Pride was anchored in midfield for much of the six-furlong contest by James Doyle before travelling powerfully to the lead passing the two-furlong marker.

The challengers attempted to bridge the gap, but the Kodiac colt never looked in real danger of being caught and passed the post with almost two lengths in hand over runner-up Internationaldream, with Terrichang best of the rest in third.

Ed Crisford was not present, but said via telephone: “I’m delighted with that performance. He quickened up really well and did it nicely.

“We were a bit worried about the draw, and Ripon can be tricky for an inexperienced horse. He did look a bit inexperienced, but I was impressed by the way he quickened up.

“We’ll probably head for the Mill Reef Stakes next. The ground was soft at Windsor, and I’d imagine it was fairly tacky ground today, but I actually think he’ll be a better horse on better ground.

“Hopefully he’s a nice horse for the future.”

Setantii Girl (centre) looks a smart prospect for James Given (PA Wire)

Earlier in the afternoon, James Given’s newcomer Setantii Girl belied her starting price of 22-1 as she made a big impression in winning on her introduction in the Visit ripon-races.co.uk Novice Auction Stakes.

The daughter of Sir Prancealot was being pushed along at the halfway stage by James Sullivan, but came home strongly to beat 6-5 favourite Charlie Fellowes by a length and three-quarters.

Given said: “I did say to Jimmy (Sullivan) beforehand that I wouldn’t be surprised if she ran well, because she’d shown some nice work at home.

“She came from the breeze-ups, but is a very laid-back filly and a pleasure to train, to be honest.

“The second horse is rated 74 and was giving us 5lb, so you’d think she’s probably run to a rating in the mid-70s – and she can only improve.

Love Is Golden (left) was a clear-cut winner (PA Wire)

“Whether we go down the nursery route or go for a little conditions race somewhere, we’ll see. It would be nice to think she could improve enough to try and get some black type somewhere along the line.”

Mark Johnston and Joe Fanning teamed up to land the British Stallion Studs EBF Winksley Novice Stakes with 9-1 shot Love Is Golden, while David O’Meara’s 100-30 chance Hortzadar finished with a flourish to claim the Ripon Rowels Handicap under 5lb claimer Sean Kirrane.

The Tim Easterby-trained Poet’s Dawn (7-2) led his rivals a merry dance in the Billy Nevett Memorial Handicap, with David Allan doing the steering.

The pair landed a quickfire double with Fox Kasper (100-30) in division one of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Handicap, before Easterby completed a treble with 12-1 Dance King in the concluding Bishop Thornton Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap, ridden by his daughter Emily.

Nigel Tinkler’s Jupiter Road was an 11-1 winner of division two under Rowan Scott, after which Paul Hanagan rode his first winner since returning from injury aboard Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer (3-1) in the Markington Maiden Stakes.

Part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, the Frankel colt confirmed previous promise with a dominant display under two-time champion Hanagan – who made his comeback two weeks ago having been sidelined since breaking his back in a fall at Newcastle in February.

“I think you can probably tell from the smile on my face – it’s been a long six months,” Hanagan told Sky Sports Racing.

“It’s been very character building times and it’s just great to get that winner.

“It’s been tough. I’m hoping the people at Jack Berry House were watching this winner as a lot of the credit goes to them. The PJA have been fantastic and I’ve got so many people to thank I’d be here all day.”

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