Newmarket review and free video replays | Ancient Truth puts down Superlative marker

Margarson thoughts turn to autumn

The 2024 Flat season might only be beginning to hit top gear but trainer George Margarson is already thinking of big targets in the autumn for Mythical Guest who bounced back to winning ways in decisive fashion in the Sky Bet Match5 Handicap.

After making a triumphant return at Yarmouth the Make Believe gelding could only finish fifth next time out at Windsor, however he was not for stopping on this occasion after running out a length and three quarter winner under Callum Shepherd.

And the victory left Margarson dreaming of a return to the track in September with the four year old for a tilt at the bet365 Cambridgeshire.

Margarson said of the 10-1 winner: “For me I probably ran him back a little bit quick at Windsor, but having said that he just came round the bend there and got on the wrong leg.

“He is still a big baby as you can see by the size of him.This track, like Yarmouth, has a hell of a long straight.

"He will be a better horse as the season goes on and hopefully we will have him back here for the Cambridgeshire in the autumn.

“He would have to win again to get in, but he would be the ideal sort of horse for it as he travels well and he has a good mind on him.”

Ascot next for Ward's Wonder?

Tom Ward has not ruled out the prospect of a trip to Royal Ascot for stable star Woodhay Wonder who made it three wins from as many appearances on the Rowley Mile with a battling success in the feature Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap.

Arriving on the back of a victory over course and distance 31 days ago the Tamayuz filly, who cost just 26,000 guineas, added to that success when digging deep late on in the six furlong contest to get the better of a pulsating duel with Completely Random by a neck.

Ward said of the 2-1 favourite: “She has been a star for the yard and she is as tough as they come. She loves this track, but she is as tough as nails and you could run her anywhere you wanted.

“Today she looked like she was wobbling with a furlong and a half to go, but Tom (Marquand) said afterwards if he kicked earlier she would have stretched on, but she took a while to get into her action.

“The owners aren’t there to get black type. They just want to have a horse running in fun races on big days.

“There is a £100,000 handicap at York in about a month’s time and that could be a good option.

“The only race at Royal Ascot for her is the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap which is over a stiff five furlongs.

"I’m sure her owners would love the day out, and she would deserve a place in it, but it is whether she would be sharp enough for it.

“She has taken over £200,000 now in prize money and she was a 26,000 guineas purchase so she doesn’t need to do anything else in her career.”

Mission win delights team

Edward Smyth-Osbourne described training his first turf winner on the Rowley Mile as a ‘dream come true’ after Noodle Mission transferred his recent form figures from the all-weather to the turf in the Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap.

The Lambourn handler, who has served stints with the likes of Henry Candy and Mark Johnston in Britain and Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller in Australia, was all smiles after the Noble Mission gelding prevailed by two and a quarter lengths in the mile and a quarter contest.

Smyth-Osbourne said: “He ran off 76 the other day on the all-weather and ran well to finish second. He was a few pounds lower on the turf and I was hopeful coming here.

“His previous form on turf was not much to write home about so he had to transfer his recent form figures over, which he clearly has. This win gives us a lot of options going forward.

“The girl who rides him out at home lets him get away with murder, but he loves it.

“This is absolutely massive as. It is a bit of a dream come true to have your first runner on turf win at Headquarters. You couldn't write it.”

Giles journey proves worthwhile

Members of the Kingsley Park 40-Ready To Run syndicate enjoyed a change in fortune with Hope You Can Run who turned his recent form figures around with a tenacious success in the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap.

Out of luck in both of his previous runs this season the Charlie Johnston-trained four year old, who had to be re-saddled at the start, was not for passing after holding off 9-4 favourite Too Friendly, by half a length to complete a double for William Buick.

Richard Giles, syndicate member, said: “I’m 80 years old and I’ve dragged myself up from Ascot to watch him today.

“I’ve been part of these syndicates, which Mark Johnston originally set up, for about 16 years and I’ve had a great journey.

“This horse has bamboozled us twice this year, and I thought he was going to get collared a furlong out, but he wanted that race big time today and he wasn’t going to be denied.”

Truth will out

Charlie Appleby will tread a tried and tested path with Ancient Truth following his impressive debut success in the Cure Leukaemia Novice Stakes at Newmarket.

Having saddled Albany Stakes favourite Mountain Breeze and Precious Jewel to glory at the track 24 hours earlier the Newmarket handler was on target with the son of Dubawi, who ran out a length and a half winner of the six furlong contest.

However, a trip to Royal Ascot is not on the agenda for Ancient Truth with the Group Two Superlative Stakes, a race Appleby has won with Boynton (2016), Master Of The Seas (2020) and Native Trail (2021), on the July Course at Newmarket earmarked as a target.

Alex Merriam, assistant trainer, said of the 5/2 winner: “We were pretty confident at home with him, but Charlie never pushes them at home so you are never quite sure what you have got until you get to the track and a few of ours have improved for their first run this year.

“He did drift a little bit, but that was nothing too sinister. He was in front for quite a long time as nothing really carried him into the race so he had to do what he had to do.

“He doesn’t qualify for the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot so Charlie said we will look at giving him one more run then look at the Superlative with him.

“It is a race Charlie has used for nice horses and we will go there and work away from there.

“Will (Buick) said he would get seven furlongs so it is probably the ideal race for him.”

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