REST OF THE CARD

THE Clipper Logistics Handicap over a mile is normally an ultra competitive affair where a tight finish can be expected but that was not the case this time as Kevin Ryan’s Flaming Spear, well handled by Robert Winston, eased through to win quite tidily from Qassem, Firmament and Baraweez.

The 50/1 shot Northgate Lad, a bold, front-running grey, gave it his best shot for much of the journey with G K Chesterton keeping tabs on him but both faded as the race developed towards the far rails. Coming with a perfectly-timed challenge, Flaming Spear strode past and did not have to be hard ridden to hold the chasing pack. He was another winner for Ryan after a first half of the season beset by sickness in the stable.

Flaming Spear, owned by Brighton FC chairman Tony Bloom, is still improving as a five-year-old after a varied career which has seen good performances in classy company and convincing ones on the all-weather at Newcastle.

“I was very impressed today,” said regular rider Winston. “He travelled superbly throughout but did have a lovely draw. Kevin’s done a marvellous job to get him back to his best and he can go on from this.”

That may well be the case and Ryan, who thought of Flaming Spear as a Guineas horse at one stage before buying him back at the sales, has never been afraid to take on the best.

Hopes were high in the Khalid Abdullah camp that Mori would follow Enable’s lead and win the Listed British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes over the same trip but she was disappointing on this occasion.

Victory went to 12/1 chance Fleur Forsyte, who swept by in the closing stages and went on to beat the tough and reliable More Mischief, with Aljezeera keeping on under a hands and heels for third.

HITTING THE FRONT

A Teofilo filly, Fleur Forsyte is trained by James Fanshawe and was ridden by young Daniel Muscutt, giving him one of his biggest winners so far. This was only her fifth outing and she still looked green but was never going to be caught after hitting the front.

“She’s very strong and has a great physique,” Fanshawe said. “She ran poorly in a listed race at Newbury but did much better in a hood when third at Newmarket. I must admit I’d have opted for a handicap but the owners, the Normandie Stud, were keen to go for another listed race, so there we are.

“It’s great for young Daniel and I’m pleased to have won Sir Henry’s race. We miss him on the gallops, telling us all what we’re doing right and wrong!”

The closing fillies’ handicap over seven furlongs went to David O’Meara’s admirably consistent top-weight Lincoln Rocks, who was ending a run of three seconds and also scoring for the third time this season.

The race developed towards the stands’ side when they turned for home and Lincoln Rocks, 8/1, found by far the best finishing speed for Danny Tudhope to score with some authority from Breakable and Angel Of Darkness.