Ventura Tormenta (middle)
Middleham Park Racing manager Tim Palin's decision to supplement VENTURA TORMENTA for the Prix Robert Papin in France on Sunday turned out to be the right call as this acclamation colt battled tenaciously in a head up head down three way photo to win under Christophe Soumillon.
As Richard said "we’ve always liked him which was why we took him to Ascot first time, but I have to admit I slightly regretted that afterwards, dropping him in so deep. He’s just a lovely colt. Something like the Morny or the Gimcrack might be next. I’m delighted for Middleham Park. It was Tim Palin’s idea to run in it, as I was looking at the Listed race at Newbury and he got it dead right. I still thought we were beaten in the photo.”
He was six lengths behind The Lir Jet on his debut run at Royal Ascot but having got some experience under his belt since, including a striking victory at Yarmouth on Derby day, he showed plenty of guts to reverse the form this time. He wasn't suited by the seven furlongs at Newmarket's July meeting but positively ridden back over six furlongs he got the job done and made the trip worthwhile!
Tim said “We’re already popping the champagne! The only way we were going to beat The Lir Jet was to drag the speed out of him and make it a test of stamina. Christophe gave him a super ride. Probably half a stride before and half a stride after the line he was beat, but right where it mattered he was in front. It’s probably trainer and syndicate manager error that he’s ever been beaten, he hasn’t lost over six furlongs.”