Racing: British success
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Your support makes all the difference.The British raiders Greenlander and Handsome Ridge both plundered major prizes at Maisons-Laffitte in France yesterday afternoon, writes Ian Davies.
The Clive Brittain-trained Greenlander, ridden by Sylvan Guillot, led on the line in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin to beat fellow British challenger Aurigny (trained by Simon Dow) by a short neck.
Brittain was typically bullish about the winner's future after the five- and-a-half-furlong race. "Greenlander could develop into a series Guineas candidate," he said, of a colt who had made a winning debut at Yarmouth early this month.
The John Gosden-trained Handsome Ridge, also ridden by Guillot, gained a brave neck victory over Aneysar in the Group Three Prix Daphnis. Gosden was supervising his runners at Ascot but owner, Arsenal and England footballer David Platt, was on hand to witness Handsome Ridge's victory.
"Every time we ask this horse a more difficult question he seems to respond," Platt said. "He might come back to France for a race at Deauville next month."
Charles Cyzer's Book At Bedtime, ridden by Freddie Head, finished second to hot favourite Vertical Speed in the Group Two Prix Hubert De Chaudenay.
Caiseal Ros sprang a 10-1 surprise by making all under Pat Smullen in the Group Three Meld Stakes at the Curragh. Taken into an immediate lead and never seriously threatened by her four rivals, the filly gave 20-year- old Smullen a two-length victory on his first mount for Jim Bolger.
British raiders Green Card and Amid Albadu had every chance along with uneasy favourite Strawberry Roan on the home turn, but the writing was on the wall the moment Smullen kicked a second time two furlongs out. A stewards enquiry was quickly announced and second-placed Strawberry Roan was demoted to third for hampering third home Casey Tibbs.
Ante-post punters were dealt a severe blow yesterday by the withdrawal of several well-backed horses from the Schweppes Golden Mile Handicap at Goodwood on Thursday. Bold Words, Great Child, Crown Court, Red Robbo, and Dancing Image were all among the market leaders for the mile contest but none was among the 30 acceptors.
William Hill betting: 7-1 Gold Spats (8-1), Strazo (12-1), 8-1 Mawingo (12-1), 14-1 Cadeaux Tryst (16-1), Cosmic Prince (16-1), Generous Libra (20-1), Irish Accord (20-1), 16-1 Crumpton Hill (20-1), Fly To The Stars (20-1), 20-1 bar.
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