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."

More From Tim

Tim Vaughan will discuss what could be an exciting programme for Beshabar, who ended the campaign with a game victory in the Coral Scottish Grand National.

The Hennessy Gold Cup, the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the John Smith's Grand National are among the major races that will be considered for the smart staying chaser.

"He's fantastically well and is out in the paddocks now on his summer break. I'll speak with all the connections over the summer, but the view is we'll look at the Hennessy Gold Cup in the first instance," said the Vale of Glamorgan trainer.


"If he were to go for that and run extremely well we could put him on the Cheltenham Gold Cup route. Alternatively, we could go quietly and give him a spin over hurdles and wait for the weights for the Grand National to come out.

"I don't think we could go both routes (Hennessy and National) because if he were to run well in the Hennessy or win it he would scupper his handicap mark for the National.

"Then again, we could have a possible Gold Cup horse on our hands."

News From Tim Vaughn`s Yard

Spirit Of Adjisa could be Royal Ascot-bound after giving Tim Vaughan another big success in the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Vale of Glamorgan trainer is looking to the Ascot Stakes at the Berkshire track next month for the seven-year-old.

"He was home off the ferry on Saturday and he's come out of the race fantastically well," said Vaughan.

"We thought we'd keep him fresh, go to Punchestown and keep him rolling through the summer.

"We'll probably look to go for the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. We've got to get in the handicap there, but that's what we have got at the back of our minds.

"Potentially he could win a staying handicap off his mark if he shows the improvement on the Flat that he has over hurdles.

"He could be attractively handicapped, so on that basis I'd rather go for a good handicap on a big day than spoil his handicap mark at a small meeting.

"We've run him in February, then we've run him in May. He's a horse who likes to be fresh."

Townend Champion

Paul Townend extended his thanks to Willie Mullins after being crowned Ireland's new National Hunt champion jockey.

Townend stepped into the void left by Ruby Walsh when he broke his leg in November and filled the gap admirably on a host of big-race winners.

Unfortunately he missed the last few days of the season with a broken collarbone, but he had enough of a gap over Davy Russell to remain in front by five at the close of the Punchestown Festival.

"It's absolutely brilliant and in no way did I expect it," Townend told At The Races.

"There were still four days left for Davy to catch me and right up until it was impossible for him to do it I thought he would.

"To be associated with horses like Hurricane Fly has been a dream and having my first winner at Cheltenham was fantastic.

"I'm very grateful to Willie Mullins for putting me up on his horses, not for one minute did I ever think I'd be champion jockey.

"I didn't realise I'd broken the collarbone again because of the adrenalin, it didn't hurt so much but I'll be out for a couple of weeks. I'll be back in time for Galway and there's no point in rushing."

Townend Champion

Paul Townend extended his thanks to Willie Mullins after being crowned Ireland's new National Hunt champion jockey.

Townend stepped into the void left by Ruby Walsh when he broke his leg in November and filled the gap admirably on a host of big-race winners.

Unfortunately he missed the last few days of the season with a broken collarbone, but he had enough of a gap over Davy Russell to remain in front by five at the close of the Punchestown Festival.

"It's absolutely brilliant and in no way did I expect it," Townend told At The Races.

"There were still four days left for Davy to catch me and right up until it was impossible for him to do it I thought he would.

"To be associated with horses like Hurricane Fly has been a dream and having my first winner at Cheltenham was fantastic.

"I'm very grateful to Willie Mullins for putting me up on his horses, not for one minute did I ever think I'd be champion jockey.

"I didn't realise I'd broken the collarbone again because of the adrenalin, it didn't hurt so much but I'll be out for a couple of weeks. I'll be back in time for Galway and there's no point in rushing."

235-1 Treble!

Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty took the honours on the final day of the Punchestown Festival with a 235-1 treble highlighted by Grandouet's success in the AES Champion 4YO Hurdle.

The gelding had been well fancied for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March but faded into third, while he was still going well when brought down close home at Aintree.

This time Geraghty always looked confident and let the 5-2 chance sprint clear approaching the last to beat Kumbeshwar by nine lengths, while favourite Unaccompanied never travelled with her usual zest and could finish only fourth.

Henderson said: "He deserved that for his consistency, honesty and above all his jumping. We always thought Aintree was more his track than Cheltenham, but he was brought down there.

"It can be tough for a four-year-old to run in three festivals, but he always looked like he would win today. We have all summer to think of plans, but Barry suggests going chasing. There's a thing called Hurricane Fly to worry about if we stay hurdling."

Bellvano (7-2 favourite) had earlier bounced back to winning ways in the Madra Irish Dog Food Novice Chase, resisting a stiff challenge from Montan over the last two fences to prevailed by a length and three-quarters.


"He is still a novice for next season in England and still has a fair bit to learn. We will go quietly with him and not go for anything fancy yet. He is a top-of-the-ground horse and Barry said that ground was as slow as he would need it," said Henderson.

Shakalakaboomboom (14-1) was a thrilling winner of the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase to complete the treble.

Having taken up the running some way out, he looked a sitting duck for the favourite Beautiful Sound in the straight, but despite a monumental error at the last, Geraghty galvanised his mount to win by the shortest of short heads.

The trainer, who also won the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock with Eradicate, said: "It's terrific to round off the season like this. It was a terrifically brave effort having come back from eating grass at the last. He'll be out in the grass next week!"

Hawkeyethenoo Wins At Ascot

Gary Bartley made an unglamorous trip from Scotland to Ascot in Jim Goldie's horsebox only to emerge with the biggest success of his career after partnering his beloved Hawkeyethenoo in the totesport Victoria Cup.

The 3lb claimer is a vital component of Goldie's stable at Uplawmoor near Glasgow and has now been in the saddle for four of Hawkeyethenoo's six victories since the versatile sprinter moved from Mick Easterby in the summer of 2009.

Although he has been replaced by blue-chip jockeys on many of the big occasions, the uncomplaining Bartley continued his job as the gelding's work rider and seized his opportunity with both hands.

Hawkeyethenoo, a 15-2 chance, has been an unlucky loser at times and needs to be treated gently from the stalls, but he moved fluidly through the big field and went on to take the near £53,000 first prize by an assured two and a half lengths.

Bartley said: "I probably ride him in 90% of his work and I'm so grateful to Jim for having faith in me. I've been with Jim for four years, and I actually rode my first couple of winners over hurdles for him.


"When champion jockeys like Kieren Fallon ask to ride him, you obviously accept it. I pretty much had to beg Jim for the ride, but he trusted me a million dollars.

"He might win the boss his Ayr Gold Cup that he's always wanted - I hope I get to keep the ride on him now."

Goldie added: "Gary rides the horse at home and he rode him very confidently, it was good for him to get a big chance.

"He is very speedy and talented, but the key is to get him settled out of the stalls. He's been a great servant to us and will probably go for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot now."