Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Beverley Review
Alan McCabe is looking forward to dusting down his finery for Royal Ascot after seeing Caspar Netscher justify his expectations at Beverley.
The Dutch Art colt had been available at 20-1 in the morning for the TurfTV Betting Shop Service Maiden, but was backed at all rates down to 100-30 by the start of the five-furlong contest.
The gamble appeared to have gone awry early on as the youngster looked to be struggling with the ferocious pace, but Robert Winston kept him together and he picked up to lead soon after passing the furlong marker and eventually won by two and a quarter lengths.
McCabe said: "We had a good bet on him - we really fancied him. He's got a few tests to pass before Ascot, but he'll be entered in the Windsor Castle and the Norfolk Stakes as he's got plenty of speed. He could come back here first for the Brian Yeardley."
Just Bond (7-1) flashed home in the Happy 65th Birthday Graham Roberts Handicap to kick-start what could be a big couple of days for trainer Geoff Oldroyd and owner Reg Bond, who will be represented by Ladies Are Forever in the Duke Of York Stakes.
Oldroyd said: "You've got to have a bit of luck with hold-up horses, and everything went right for him. He's won 13 races for us now and I said to Reg that we'll retire him when he gets to 20. Hopefully that'll be a springboard for Ladies Are Forever."
Paul Midgley's veteran Highland Warrior (20-1) showed his younger rivals the way home in the Annie Oxtoby Memorial Handicap, coming from the rear to be one of a number in with a chance entering the last of the five furlongs and winning by three-quarters of a length.
Midgley said: "I'm pleased as punch. He's an absolute darling. When the rain didn't arrive I wasn't going to run him, but Micky (Fenton) said the ground was safe after the first race so we decided to go for it. He's still got so much enthusiasm."
Meandmyshadow (4-1) recorded her second course-and-distance victory since the turn of the year in the Fantastic Prizes At Lucky In Love Selling Stakes, mowing down market leader Johnny Hancocks to score by a neck with the line fast approaching.
Winning trainer Alan Brown said: "This is probably her grade, but she is very tough. She doesn't get six furlongs, so a stiff five like this is ideal. She also likes this track a lot, which obviously helps."