Newbury Saturday review, reaction and free video replays

Song too strong for Albert Einstein

Song Of The Clyde (18/1) won a tense final-furlong battle with Albert Einstein (6/4 favourite) in the Listed Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury.

Clive Cox's three-year-old, only fourth on his return to action in handicap company at Newmarket's Craven meeting, came on significantly for that run as he improved in the hands of Hector Crouch.

Always prominent on the stands' side, Albert Einstein led the far-side group under Ryan Moore and the two leaders converged towards each other in the closing stages.

Aidan O'Brien's horse looked much happier let loose over six furlongs, but Song Of The Clyde was just too quick for him by a slender margin and was called the winner a neck in front at the line.

Havana Hurricane (22/1) was third.

Cox said: “It was a very warm renewal. He became very streetwise last year in those sales races as you have to be hardy in them.

"I was a little bit worried that he was quite fresh before the race today, but clearly he was full of exuberance and well being. He never turned a hair before and he is pretty tough.

"He has taken that step into stakes company, which was a hot renewal of this race in everyone’s opinion, and I’m very happy and we can now look forward to some more better days than last year.

"The dip at Newmarket was a bit questionable last time, but he was giving lumps of weight away to big improvers in the three year old ranks. I was keen to come here, and thankfully he has more than returned our confidence in his well being and performance. It was wonderful.

“Coppull is another wonderful horse and I’m thrilled to have him on my hands as well and he goes for the Sandy Lane next Saturday all being well.

"I don’t see why we wouldn’t roll the dice in the Commonwealth Cup with this lad at this stage. He has got every reason he should be there and I would be disappointed if he wasn’t.”

Paul Smith said of Albert Einstein: “We were happy with him and he will improve again. Ryan was happy enough with him so he is going in the right direction. I think we will get him back and make a plan. At the moment we are happy with what he is doing and he is going in the right direction.”

Meehan ponders plan as Esna strikes

Esna was cut to 33/1 (from 100s) for the Betfred Oaks by Paddy Power and Sky Bet after winning the Childwickbury Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes.

Ryan Moore's partner responded bravely to his urgings inside the final furlong to reverse recent Newmarket form with runner-up Sacred Ground and scoring by half-a-length.

However the trainer warned that Epsom won't necessarily be the winner's target.

He said: “We are not a big operation so you have to take each horse and each day and you have to be careful with them when you don’t have big numbers. They have all been running well consistently. I think they have probably needed the run like she did at Newmarket. She is very progressive and it is a good day today.

“I think maybe a mile and a half might be out of her stamina limit. To be honest a mile and a quarter I always felt would be more comfortable with her throughout so we are in good shape. We could possibly (go for the Prix de Diane), but we will regroup now. I hadn’t overly planned for two runs in the spring with her as she caught me by surprise a bit at Newmarket.

“I was expecting a little bit more at Newmarket as she had been away for a racecourse gallop and she was really well. I did think this week when I looked at her on Wednesday evening and I just said that was the best she had looked all spring.

"She has obviously just taken that little bit longer to come to herself. The run was okay last time and today has been really good. The Diane is there and that is a speed track, and she travelled well today so it is a possibility. There is also the Hampton Court, but I would say that the discussion would revolve around the Diane and we will speak to the owner and see what he wants to do.”

Thady Gosden said of the runner-up: "It was an absolutely epic performance from him. It was a great effort. He wears his heart on his sleeves and he stays well. He is in great form and we are going to head to the Hardwicke after this.

“He is a big international horse who loves international racing. Coming into this race we were just slightly fearful this track wouldn’t play to his strengths with such a long run in. You have to keep to finding here, but it was a strong performance.

“It never looked like he was going to get there, and he ran out of racetrack, but it was a nice performance.”

Dream boosts McDowall's spirits

Avid Rangers fan Gordon McDowall might have been gutted to see arch rivals Celtic lift the Scottish Premiership title earlier in the day, but his spirits were lifted after Far Above Dream booked his ticket to the Royal meeting.

Although carving out a reputation as a Goodwood specialist having won on his last three visits to the Sussex venue, the James Owen-trained four-year-old demonstrated he is not just a one trick pony with victory in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap.

Having opened his account for the campaign at his beloved Goodwood last time out the 17-2 chance burst through late on under Kieran Shoemark to secure victory in the six furlong prize by three quarters of a length to set up a tilt at the Wokingham.

McDowall, who claimed the Wokingham back in 2008 with Big Timer, said: “Kieran (Shoemark) said he is improving all the time and he just said I will see you at Royal Ascot. I won the Wokingham in 2008 so I would love to go back and have another go at it.

“The Stewards’ Cup would probably be the one later on for him given his track record at Goodwood. He doesn’t look like a sprinter as he is a big skinny boy. When he won at Goodwood in October we just said we will take our time and let him grow.

"He needed to grow and fill out, and you let them do that if you think you have got a good horse, and he has proved that today as he had some nice horses behind him. The only thing I was gutted about was that Celtic won the league as I’m a big Rangers fan so I was hoping that Hearts were going to hammer them!”

And there was further success for Sporting Life ambassador Shoemark, who completed a double on the day with a length victory aboard Euston Hall (8/1) in the concluding World Pool Bet With The Tote Handicap.

Late swoop lands spoils for Classic

Classic went one better than on his return to action when chasing home stablemate Linwood in the Spring Cup at the track last month after weaving a successful passage through rivals to land the Boyle Sports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap.

One of three runners in the race for trainer Richard Hannon, the Julie Wood-owned gelding was sent off a 10/1 chance to get up and running for the campaign in the mile prize, which was claimed 12 months ago by subsequent Royal Hunt Cup winner My Cloud.

And an outing in the Heritage Handicap now beckons for the gelded son of Dubawi following his neck success over last year’s Cambridgeshire runner-up Indalo.

Hannon said: “He is a very talented horse and he won very well today. He travelled great. At Sandown we did make the running with him, but he is not the most straightforward horse. However, since we cut him he has barely run a bad race.

“Julie (Wood) loves winning here and hopefully we will now get in the Royal Hunt Cup. Hopefully we can win a few nice races with him this season.”

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