Dark Horse at Newbury

Hi there!

The main action today was at York, but my point of interest was directed at the 1m 2f maiden stakes at Newbury.

Mojo Star, a son of Sea The Stars, was rumoured to be Richard Hannon’s best middle-distance three-year-old prospect and the feeling was that if he were to win then he could line up at Epsom.

The race has traditionally been won by some useful performers and that may prove to be the case again, as newcomer Manobo and Mojo Star drew eight lengths clear of the third, with the well-regarded newcomer Candleford back in fifth.

Manobo, who is also a son of Sea The Stars, was pushed along a quarter of a mile from home but just got the better of Mojo Star by half a length. The runner-up had previously run Scope to a nose at this course in October and that winner has subsequently run third in the Lingfield Derby Trial and is now rated on 95.  This suggests that Manobo ran to a mark in the low 100s.

Trainer Charlie Appleby was complimentary afterwards, saying that the ease in the ground suited him and that he would be a nice stayer for the future.

In my view, the first two will prove Group-class performers in the fullness of time.

Trainer Andrew Balding had a good day and the highlight was the success of Spanish Mission in the Yorkshire Cup.

He is now 10/1 for the Ascot Gold Cup.  Sir Ron Priestley did not find a great deal under pressure but the race came just 13 days after his victory at Newmarket so there may have been a valid excuse.

Wells Farhh Go ran a little better than his placing suggests having not been seen on the track since October, 2019.

Bye for now.