Two Countries – Three Winners
Saturday is always the busiest day in racing with lots of meetings all across the country but Kevin racked up the miles even more as he sent out winners at Beverley as well as in France. Whilst the son shone down at Deauville, it was a wet afternoon for race goers at Beverley.
Swift Approval has thrived this season, winning three times and going up 18lb in the handicap. With opportunities limited in recent weeks Tim Palin, of Middleham Park Racing, hatched a plan that paid off with a win across the channel. With a suggestion of the 6 1/2f Conditions event in Deauville as his next run, Kevin agreed and sent the fast improving 4 year old over the water to secure a nice victory.
Swift Approval started the season in perfect style, winning at Musselburgh and then following up at Catterick. With both wins taking the eye of the handicapper he then had to take a step up in grade, which the chestnut did admirably by taking the Silver Bunbury Cup. That win was a career best and although he couldn’t match that in his next two runs, he ran a lot better than the bare result. Regular partner, Tom Eaves, had always said like he felt the horse could be as good over 6f which tempted connections to test the waters in the Stewards Cup. Unfortunately it didn’t quite work out but he showed enough speed to suggest that it was an option that could be utilised in the future. With this in mind, the 6 1/2f at Deauville sounded like a great idea and Swift was on his travels.
Stephane Pasquier is the jockey Kevin usually turns to when he has had runners in France and again he booked the classy French rider. It was Swift’s first try on the all-weather but tactics were simple, be positive like every other time he has run this season. Despite not knowing too much about the rest of the field, connections were confident of a big run if Swift could transfer his form to the synthetic surface.
From the start everything went well and Swift Approval was quickly away, taking up the running and setting a good gallop. At first it looked like he may be given an easy time in front but quickly Bandanetta came sweeping round the outside to sit on Swift’s girths. This ensured a decent pace but with his ears pricked, Swift Approval was happy going along seeing nothing but daylight in front of him. The field of 6 were all close enough together as they went through the first couple of furlongs.
The all-weather at Deauville runs alongside the turf track so the field were quickly on to the long sweeping bend. It is very different to the tight tracks in Britain and it meant all of the field easily took the turn without losing any ground or their position. Swifty was content to bowl along and Stephane allowed him too whilst keeping a little bit of restraint on him. Holding a 1/2 length lead, Swift took them past halfway with little change happening in behind.
The run in at Deauville is about 2 1/2f, giving the runners enough time to lay down their challenges. As they came off the bend, Stephane angled Swift across the track, coming off the rail and heading towards the stand side. He still had Bandanetta for company but there was a big danger coming on his otherside in the shape of Gamgoom. They had yet to really lay down their challenge so Stephane just squeezed his mount along, injecting some more pace into the race.
Swift Approval made the most of his travels and continued his fine record this season
Swift Approval moved inside the 2f marker still with the lead but he was now going to have to work for it. Stephane started to get to work, trying to stretch clear but his nearest pursuers were able to go with him, travelling just as well. The pressure was on and it was three in a line as they battled for the lead. Swift is brave and was not going to surrender his lead. Bandanetta was the first to weaken, just unable to get on terms with the leader. With just the final furlong to run Gamgoom was vying for the lead and really laying down the challenge to Swift Approval. Swift was working hard and as they got eyeball to eyeball he stuck his head down and set down for a battle. He continued to find under pressure and was drawing out a little more with each stride. Swift’s stamina was now coming into play and he began to assert in the last 100yards, striding clear and clinching a 1/2 length victory.
Swift Approval has continued to improve this season and this was another gutsy win, leading from start to finish. He has shown plenty of speed in his last couple of runs but sees the trip out well. This means that Ayr could be a perfect place for him, hopefully in the Gold Cup. He has given Middleham Park Racing a great year so far and on this sort of form there is no reason to think that the wins have come to an end yet.
It was a little closer to home but Dance Alone quickly made it a double when he broke his duck in the 5f Maiden at Beverley, just an hour later. Having hit the woodwork 5 times, it was becoming increasingly frustrating that he had yet to win a race. Fortunately it looked a perfect opportunity at Beverley and the grey duly obliged.
There had been questions raised about the 3 year old with a string of placed efforts to his name. For his last two runs the blinkers had been applied and looked as though they had done the job, keeping Dance Alone concentrating all through the race. Unfortunately for Dance he had run well but just bumped into one on both occasions, continuing his run without a win. When Kevin saw the Maiden in the racing calendar it was immediately pinpointed as his next start. After seeing the declarations it did look like the best opportunity he would have to finally get off the mark.
Tom Eaves was booked for the ride, his only one of the afternoon before he shot off to Redcar for their evening meeting. Knowing Dance Alone had the form in the book it was a very simple plan, keep things easy and be positive. There was one unknown factor in the race, the once raced Pedro Serrano who had not run since 2012 but had been kept in training and persevered with. There was plenty of confidence behind Henry Candy’s 6 year old, and he leapfrogged Dance Alone in the betting to be the 6/4fav.
As the stalls opened there was different starts by the two market leaders. Dance Alone bounced out, quick into stride and led where as the fav missed the break and was slowly away having had the hood removed late and giving the rest a good start. Tom gave his mount a little rousting along and the grey took up the running, setting a strong pace and holding a length lead. It was the ideal place to be and now they were playing “catch me if you can”. There wasn’t anytime to think and Dance Alone flew through the first furlong. With a few of his rivals unable to lay with the pace, the field became stretched and it was only Young Tiger who could go with him.
The 5f at Beverley is always on the turn and Dance Alone quickly took them past halfway to the where the track straightens up. There was no let up in the pace and Young Tiger continued to press him, sat just on his girths. As the pair moved inside the 2f marker Tom got hold of his mount and kicked for home, giving Dance a couple of slaps to keep him up to his work. The ears were pricked and although he did quicken up, his nearest challenger was going the better, visually looking like he was full of running. That being said it was Dance Alone still held sway in front and was always finding a little bit more.
It was the final furlong when Dance Alone began to really assert. They hit the rising ground and it was her that Young Tiger laid down his challenge. As soon as as he did, Dance Alone clocked on and found more, quickly dispelling any chance he had. Pulling to a 1/2 length lead all Dance Alone had to do was continue to see out the trip. With a few reminders from Tom he carried on finding a little more and pulled clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
Dance Alone gets off the mark at the 12th attempt
Dance Alone deserved to get his head in front and it was nice to get a win for Guy Reed Racing. It did look a weak race and a very good opportunity for the three year old. He was always just doing enough and it wasn’t until he was challenged that he put in full effort. He’s got the speed for 5f but does see out 6f so the options are open for him. He will now return to handicapping and with a win under his belt, it may just be the confidence boost needed to go on from here.
Although the rain at Beverley probably upset a few of the race goers day out it was just what was needed for Mount Tahan to complete the treble, as he took the 7f Handicap in decisive fashion.
Without a win since August last year, Mount Tahan had started this season quite disappointingly. Having needed the run on his return back in April at Ayr, Tahan’s best result was the race that followed at Haydock. A good fourth in a tough handicap had connections brimming with confidence but it was misplaced following that. At York he got very warm and worked up, subsequently finishing last. This was repeated at Doncaster, again never showing anything and really leaving everyone scratching their head.
Kevin decided to wait for a little bit and it was another month before he started looking for races for Mount Tahan. Having come down in the handicap to 81, the 0-85 contest at Beverley was selected for his return, with Kevin hoping he could recapture some sort of form. The rain that continued to fall throughout the day was a big plus and after seeing how well Tahan took the pre-lims, there was a feeling that he could get back to his best.
Fresh from his winner earlier in the week, Kevin Stott took the ride. There was no certain front runner in the field but Kevin knew that he wanted to get a lead, if possible. After the stalls opened everything played out perfectly Spryt taking the lead and setting a strong gallop. This took a few of the others along and Kevin got a lovely position just behind the leaders and with plenty of cover. It was obvious that Tahan was enjoying the ground and he strode on near to the rail. Despite the soft ground, the pace was very strong and it was going to be a real test of stamina.
Conditions were steadily getting worse as the rain came down but it didn’t stop Tahan who was showing real vigour. Little changed through the first half of the race but the leader continued to set strong fractions with a few of his rivals forcing the issue. It looked quite clear that the pace was too strong and the race should be set up for those coming from behind. Tahan was always well positioned, close enough to strike when needed but far enough back to now be involved in the frantic pace.
The field were soon baring down on the straight and the leader was now looking like a sitting duck. As they tried to quicken up from the font, Tahan still travelled well and Kevin got his mount to lengthen all the time. Moving to close the gap, Tahan was now a lot closer and was an obvious danger. Moving inside the 2f marker and the long time leader had now given way with the new front runners also struggling. Tahan was making his way through the pack and loomed dangerously in behind. Kevin decided it was time to make his move and got a response from Tahan who swiftly cut through the leaders. Although now making his run, Tahan moved through to the lead powerfully and still looked to have more in the tank. The ground stopped his run from being a quick, devastating turn of foot and it was all down to seeing out the trip. With the last furlong being a climb, Tahan stretched out using his giant stride. It was hard going but he drew further clear with every yard of the trip and the last furlong was all about how far the win would be. Powering up the hill, Mount Tahan had put a good 1 3/4 lengths between himself and the rest, securing his first win of the season.
Mount Tahan getting back to winning ways in the rain
Owner Mr T A Rahman has enjoyed a good season so far but he has had to wait for Mount Tahan to return to his best form. The race was set up perfectly and it was the first time that he has enjoyed a lead this year. With a little ease underfoot, Mount Tahan is a good horse and he should go on from here. This win was off a mark of 81 and the handicapper will surely put him up a bit for a decisive win. There is a good 7f handicap at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting which could be the next stop for Tahan and if he is in this form he would take all the beating once again.