LIGHTS On (112) produced the best performance on the clock on Friday’s Sandown card as she just lasted home in the face of a strong late challenge from the unlucky-in-running Mutasaabeq, while Emily UpJohn (106) signposted she is worthy of a tilt at an Oaks trial with a runaway success in the fillies’ novice stakes.

Ryan Moore took aim at the front-running Rhoscolyn passing the two-furlong pole and the gap opened perfectly for Sir Michael Stoute’s filly as she delivered the fastest closing sectional of any winner on the day, stopping the clock at 36.29secs for the final three furlongs.

Jim Crowley was not so fortunate in gaining a run aboard Mutasaabeq (112) as the partnership were held in by the retreating Johan and Sunray Major. The gap eventually became available inside the final furlong, but it was too late for Charlie Hills’ colt who, despite finishing off in 36.14secs, could not quite get to the winner.

All ground conditions are suitable for Lights On and she looks bound for the Duke Of Cambridge at the Royal meeting. As for Mutasaabeq I would suggest his ideal conditions as being either seven furlongs on a straight track or a mile where there is a bend to put more emphasis on speed.

Emily impresses

Emily UpJohn was a facile winner of the fillies’ novice stakes posting a closing sectional only bettered by Lights On and surpassing the efforts of Group 3 winners Mostahadaf (109) and Westover (109) who posted 37.61secs and 37.18 secs for the same distance of ground.

Admittedly, the overall time achieved by the pattern-class winners was quicker but is balanced by the ease with which the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly coasted to victory.

Mostahadaf clocked the fastest overall time of the races over a mile and a quarter on his first attempt at the trip.

Unusually for a three-runner race, the pace was strong as Juan Elcano (105) set a good pace from the outset and ran right up to his best while Foxes Tales (107), who prefers softer ground, also ran with credit.

Classic Trial

Westover was keen in the early exchanges of the Classic Trial and, while his response was not immediate when asked to win his race, he gathered more momentum once out in the clear.

Rob Hornby seemed keen to give his mount the easiest race possible which saw both Cash and Goldspur (106) closing the combination down at the line. I would expect Ralph Beckett’s colt to confirm the form in the future.

Cash (109) was reluctant to enter the stalls although his enthusiasm seemed to be at the opposite end of the spectrum in the closing stages of the race as he posted 36.70secs for his finishing sectional.

Although slightly faster than the winner, he was close enough at the furlong pole to have prevailed and will need to settle better to avoid having to start his run from further back in the field than would be desired.