Cheshire Oaks report and video replay: Forest Fairy edges thriller
By David Ord
16:09 · WED May 08, 2024
Forest Fairy (11/4) claimed the Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks in the very last stride to give jockey Rossa Ryan a first winner at Chester.
Eventual runner-up Port Fairy (7/1) was first off the bridle under Ryan Moore but responded to his urgings and was in front, narrowly, inside the final furlong.
However, the winner, who scored on her debut at Wolverhampton in February on her only previous start, knuckled down well to win by a head.
Paddy Power and Betfair halved Forest Fairy in price to 10/1 for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom, while Sky Bet go 12s from 20s.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Log in with your existing Sporting Life, Sky Bet, or Sky Games account. If you don't have any of those, it's completely FREE to register!
The winning rider told ITV Racing: “She did it well. She was very green still, had never been on the grass and it’s not exactly a big, open, galloping track. She was very timid when she came out from behind them when we straightened for home.
“The one thing she does is tries awfully hard and she dug deep for me today. I would be very disappointed if she didn’t take another massive stride on from today again and improve again. When the ground conditions get softer she’ll improve again too.
“She stays well and is a big, rangy filly. She gets a mile-and-a-half well and might even stretch out further, she has the right mentality to do that but for the time being this trip is perfect and Ralph (Beckett) placed her beautifully.
"You can't fault her for what she's done. She's there physically but mentally she's still figuring it out and you'd even see that at home. She's going the right way."
Horse Racing Podcast: Classics & Classic Trials
Beckett, who also saddled the third-placed Seaward, said: “It was a very good result on all levels, the winner is still a work in progress and was still learning plenty on the job today. I think it’s probable she’ll end up at Epsom on the last Friday of the month. I don’t think I will be too worried about the ground, they usually do a good job for the first day of that meeting, she’s a good-moving filly and I would imagine it will be similar ground to today.
“She was just very immature at two and we had to take our time with her. I think we were all a bit surprised by how well she won on her debut at Wolverhampton, but we certainly haven’t underestimated her since!”
He added on Seaward: “The filly that finished third ran a good race too and she could come back to 10 furlongs for a race like the Agnes Keyser at Goodwood (June 9).”
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
