Brian Meehan has enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend more than most and ended it in style with the victory of Gerfalcon in the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.
After the impressive victory of Most Improved at Newmarket on Friday and Mehdi in the valuable sales race at Headquarters on Saturday, Meehan would have been feeling pretty content.
And in Gerfalcon, he has another who looks capable of competing in some of the leading two-year-old races later in the season.
Apparently undone by the draw at York last time out, he raced keen for Martin Dwyer early before looking outpaced at halfway. Godolphin's previously unbeaten Gold City was still on the bridle when he hit the front but Gerfalcon, the 4-1 joint-favourite, came home to good effect to win by half a length.
The youngster, already a gelding, is owned by Michael Buckley, far better known for his high-class string of National Hunt horses with Nicky Henderson.
Meehan said: "I thought he had a solid chance today as he had a poor draw at York last time. I think he can improve a bit yet, as Martin said he was a little fresh early on but in a fun way.
"He showed a serious turn of foot there and was impressive. We'll look at the Mill Reef and we'll have to consider the sales races. After that he's well up there among my other two-year-olds."
When accosted by Peter Easterby in the paddock, who jokingly told him he had better stick to Cheltenham in future, Buckley replied: "I thought the Easterbys had a go at everything, so I may as well join them! This is my first visit to Ripon."
Meanwhile Theyskens' Theory will have her next start in the Garden City Breeders' Cup Stakes at Belmont Park, New York next month.
The American-owned three-year-old filly returned to winning ways in the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown on her last start, beating Modeyra by half a length.
Trainer Brian Meehan has identified the Grade One event as the next target for the daughter of Bernardini, who was sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on her final run as a two-year-old.
He said: "She looked right back to her best at Sandown last time. She is really well, she cantered this morning and is in great form."
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