Doncaster Saturday
William Hill Futurity Trophy (Group 1)
THE Group 1 Futurity Trophy is a race close to the heart of Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien, and the victory of Hawk Mountain under Ronan Whelan gave the trainer a remarkable 12th victory in the final Group 1 contest of the British season, with the 18/5 shot chased home by stablemates Action (Wayne Lordan) and Benvenuto Cellini (Christophe Soumillon) for good measure.
Despite diving right from the highest stall, Hawk Mountain was soon in control of the contest and made the rest of the running to score by half a length from the terrier-like Action, with favourite Benvenuto Cellini fading late on the softest ground he’d raced on to be beaten three and a quarter lengths into third.
The winner was cut to a general 8/1 for next year’s Derby on the strength of his all-the-way success, but O’Brien hopes that he could prove a Guineas contender before Epsom considerations, saying: “I’d say Mountain Hawk is a classic horse that could start off being a miler and go on up to a mile and a quarter, mile and a half. A lot of thought goes into it from a big team of people and I’m so delighted for everybody, so many people are involved even before he’s born. It costs a lot, and we’re just so grateful that these horses stay in Ireland.”
Regarding the placed horses, O’Brien was keen to play up the positives. “Benvenuto is a very good mover,” he added. “And while his dam (Newspaperofrecord) went in soft ground, Christophe said he just got stuck in it, he wasn’t beaten very far, it was still a very good run. We thought Action would handle the ground and that the winner could but the only way to find out is to run them.
“He’s a classy horse,” he added of the winner. “He gets a mile well and he’s tough. He’s a massive horse, a big, powerful strong horse. He has an unbelievable mind and he’s very straightforward to do everything with. You couldn’t be happier with him, he’s one of those nice, uncomplicated, big horses but he’s athletic.”
The winning rider was also impressed, adding: “Hawk Mountain travelled like a nice horse through the race. For a few strides, when Wayne came beside me, I hit a bit of a flat spot, but that’s all it was. Once I got going again, I always felt like I was winning. It was just a matter of keeping him together. He felt like he was still a bit green, and I felt there was plenty left in him.”
O’Brien’s first win in the Futurity (then the Racing Post Trophy) came in the early days of his tenure at Ballydoyle, when Saratoga Springs won in 1997 under Mick Kinane. That horse went on to win the Dante Stakes as a three-year-old, but higher hopes are clearly held for Hawk Mountain.
Burke’s fantastic autumn
Lam Yai (Karl Burke/Shane Gray) won the Listed Prospect Stakes at Doncaster to add to what has been a tremendous autumn for Burke, with the 7/4 favourite leading from halfway and holding Figjam (Katie Scott/Jason Hart) by half a length.
The winner was paying a compliment to Richard Fahey’s Catching The Moon, who had beaten her a neck in the Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr last month.
A hardy type, Lam Yai might not be the easiest to place next year, as she lacks obvious physical scope, but it was very much a case of ‘job done’ for connections here.
Newbury Saturday
NINE-year-old Hamish (William Haggas/Tom Marquand) has been a model of consistency over the years, so when he could finish only third in the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot recently, there were those who advocated for retirement before age could strip him of his former glory, but he delighted connections and denied Father Time by landing the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Notching an impressive ninth win in that category, he quickened past joint-favourite Ancient Wisdom (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) to take the day’s feature contest by two and a half lengths.
“Hamish is an absolute legend and I love him to bits,” was the immediate reaction from Maureen Haggas, wife of the winning trainer.
“I only got on him as a three-year-old because he was so naughty and wouldn’t go anywhere. So I got him going and stuck with him because I like him. The fact he’s got a lot of ability helps but he’s just so light on his feet and athletic. He’s fun to ride and I love riding him.
“He’s got a bit lazy as he’s got older and you just need to encourage him a bit, but I suppose when you’re as old as he is, you’re entitled to be a little laid back. I don’t think he’s had his ground all year but he had it today. All year long he’s felt really good at home.”
Asked whether this might be his final season, she was dismissive, answering: “Why shouldn’t he come back?
“He’s enjoying it and likes training and going out every day. I still think he’s got another year in him.”
Dancer Leading the way
The Listed Radley Stakes, run this year as the Dodson & Horrell Racing Stakes, was another benefit for the in-form Karl Burke, with his Starman filly Leading Dancer (William Buick) providing a one-two for Yorkshire stables in the six-furlong contest at Newbury, beating Caim (Ed Bethell/Callum Rodriguez) by half a length. Some firms introduced her at 66/1 for the 1000 Guineas on the back of this win, but she isn’t bred for a mile and appeals more as a sprinter.
Time on his side
The Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes was typically run on testing ground and went the way of 7/4 market leader Time To Turn (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), who coped well with the conditions to run out a two-and-a-quarter length winner over Arabian Desert (Richard Fahey/Rossa Ryan), with Wechaad (Richard Fahey/Ray Dawson) another length and a half back in third. The winner was bouncing back to his best after a disappointing effort in the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on ‘Arc’ weekend, to the evident delight of winning connections.
William Buick said on dismounting: “Time To Turn didn’t run any sort of a race last time and this is much more like him. He’s a strong traveller, he goes through the ground well and I thought he put up a good performance.
“There was never a moment’s worry and he’s quite a talented horse. He ran in the Lagardere for a good reason and we’re back on track. I think you’d be looking at mile options to start with next term.”
Cheltenham Saturday
THERE was no blacktype on offer at Cheltenham on Saturday, but six of the seven races were Class 2 affairs and there was plenty of talent on show. Irish trainers did not go home empty handed either, with the opening novices’ handicap chase – won by Ian Donoghue 12 months ago – going to Zurich (Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O’Keeffe), who led between the last two fences and kept on well to score at 10/1 from Crest Of Fortune.
Three Card Brag has often played the bridesmaid but gained a well-deserved success for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy in the three-mile, one-furlong William Hill BOG Handicap Chase, the day’s feature event with over £50,000 to the winner. The winner, who led on the home turn to beat Backmersackme (Emmet Mullins/Sean Bowen) by two and three quarter lengths, was returned at 6/1.
Conman John (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore) has made a promising start to his hurdling career, adding to a debut win at Kelso when making all to beat a dozen others in the two-mile novice hurdle. Carrying the Ahoy Senor colours of Carron Wymer, the 4/1 shot jumped well on the whole and looked a fine prospect, with the Albert Bartlett back here in March an obvious target.