NEWMARKET THURSDAY

JIM Bolger invariably does well at late-season Newmarket fixtures and the 2/1 favourite Sanus Per Aquam did him proud on the opening day of the Cambridgeshire meeting on Thursday.

Seemingly inconvenienced by running downhill into the Dip, the Teofilo colt was switched by Kevin Manning and got up to beat Tasleet by a nose in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes over seven furlongs.

In a rather messy finish, Tasleet was hanging this way and that and became involved in a bumping match with eventual fourth Zonderland. He kept on well and looked to have done enough but Sanus Per Aquam found plenty and nailed him right on the line with Adventurous only half a length behind in third.

“He didn’t like the soft ground in the Dip but when he hit the rising ground he was fine. He’s a nice horse for next year,’’ Manning commented.

Paddy Power cut the winner from 25/1 to 16s for the 2000 Guineas but he will only return for the Dewhurst next month if the ground is faster.

“As well as this fellow I have Herald The Dawn and Smash Williams, who will be plying his trade in France.

“They are all Group 1 horses but I think we may steer clear of the Dewhurst this year. If I have a runner it will be Sanus Per Aquam”, Bolger said.

John Gosden’s Flying Officer, runner-up in the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl last year, was heavily backed to go one better and duly obliged in the hands of Frankie Dettori at 4/6.

He wandered around after being in front for a long time but still had two lengths to spare over Angel Gabrial with Gale Force third.

Flying Officer saw out the two miles well, as befits a son of Dynaformer, and will go for the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot. He managed only sixth in 2014 but the ground was very testing and he should finish a good deal closer this time. He will have to be supplemented by George Strawbridge but the race stands out as an obvious target. Lightly raced for a five-year-old, Ascot will suit Flying Officer.

BUICK SPARKLES

William Buick was the jockey to follow with a sparkling treble. The handicapper has still not got to Mark Johnston’s Bathos, 2/1 favourite, who made all in the mile nursery to complete a four-timer.

Godolphin’s Rare Rhythm won the Arkle Finance Handicap even more easily, coming four lengths clear of Not Never.

Buick completed a splendid afternoon’s work when William Knight’s 10 /1 chance Secret Art worked hard to repel Ansaab in the mile handicap.

The hat-trick paid out at 164/1, the jockey’s only setback coming when Gosden’s 4/7 shot Linguistic could not confirm Doncaster form with 7/1 winner Mustajeer in the opening mile maiden.

Barry Hills nominated the Chester Vase as an early season target for the winner.