Action from all over the country also included an international entrant with FOX CHAMPION taking his place in the German Guineas field under Oisin Murphy. Always to the fore he kicked impressively off the bend and won with a bit in hand. This was a first German Classic victory for the team and proved the horses are in rude health. ‘He continues to improve this horse, we loved him last year but he didn’t have a very consistent preparation. He has been very easy to deal with this year and has gone from strength to strength. That was a gutsy performance and he should be very capable of running a big race in races such as the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. We will make a plan this week once we have finalised details with everyone at King Power.’
Saturday saw a very nice two year old maintain his unbeaten record. The son of Iffraaj was having just his second start having won convincingly and took the Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes under Sean Levey. ‘He has always been a very nice horse and looks to have improved plenty from his first to his second run. That was a tough effort as it was a messy affair in the end but he did well to maintain his effort and held off the well fancied Godolphin and Coolmore entrants. He will more than likely turn up at Royal Ascot for the Coventry.’
An across the card double on Friday started the weekend off in fine style with WEDDING DATE taking the 3yrs Sprint Handicap on the final day at York under Clifford Lee. The Middleham Park filly was always towards the rear but showed a good turn of foot to come through and take the lead in the closing stages. ‘She is a tough little filly who should continue to progress this year. She won well and I hope there will be some more nice handicaps in her.’ The other winner on the day was EMBOUR at Newbury in the Sprint Handicap for older horses. Sean managed to get him into a lovely rhythm in behind the leaders and he came through with a smooth run. ‘He has the Wokingham now on his agenda and did that well. He will go up enough off that effort to get in and should run very well.’
Todays action comes from Windsor with two two year old fillies heading to post. LOVE LOVE was very green on debut and should have improved enough to take a lot of beating today. OCASIO CORTEZ is the other runner who ran well first time out. She will be better suited to Windsor and can hopefully get in the frame.