Andrew Balding’s King’s Lynn capped a successful season with a Listed win at Doncaster in the Virgin Bet Wentworth Stakes.
The four-year-old, owned and bred by the Queen, was previously victorious at the same level in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock in May, and was beaten only a length last time out in the Group Three Bengough Stakes at Ascot.
That form saw him start as the 4/1 favourite on Town Moor, a price he justified when battling all the way to the line under David Probert to prevail by a head from Magical Spirit.
“He’s a lovely horse – I managed to get him to sit behind the pace and the wind early on,” said the winning jockey.
“He’s travelled smoothly, and when I did commit to him a furlong and a half down, the second horse was going with me – and he’s battled all the way to the line. The ground has definitely helped him.
“It really was a strong headwind, and the second (placed) horse has drifted left and put me under pressure. He can wander around a little bit but under the conditions today, (but) I think he’s won well.
“He’s actually been running very consistently throughout and had a real good run at Ascot the last day, so we knew he was coming here in good form.”
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There was early drama in the race as Jouska unseated Rob Hornby – before then running loose and chasing home the leading duo, causing the runner-up to drift slightly towards the rail.
“There was a little bit happening, but he’s had a clear passage,” Balding said of his winner.
“It’s great to have won a Listed race with him under a penalty – he’s a high-class horse, and I’m thrilled for his owner and his jockey.
“He’s tough and he likes it here. It’s funny that he’s had a great season, bar two very bad runs at Newbury – he under-performed (there) both times, and I don’t know why that is because I wouldn’t have thought there would be that much difference between Newbury and here.
“Everyone who trains for the Queen loves having winners for her, and it’s a special feeling to win a Listed race for the second time this year with this horse.”
Farhan too good in November Handicap
John Butler’s Farhan cut through what appeared a typically competitive field to land the Virgin Bet November Handicap on the final day of the 2021 Flat season at Doncaster.
The three-year-old, runner-up four times this season – including his last three starts – was a well-supported 9/2 favourite under Hollie Doyle on Town Moor.
Farhan surged up the centre of the track and raced alone inside the final furlong to pull away and triumph by a length and three-quarters from Calling The Wind.
“It unfolded pretty well,” said Doyle.
“I jumped well from a bad draw (17 of 23) – it was one of the those races where you’re in or you’re out, so I had to ride him in there, straight and tight the whole way.
“He dropped the bridle, and we went a good gallop. I managed to latch on to (Jamie) Spencer (on the runner-up) – and who better to follow into a race?
“I got a nice lead through and I could have got there a bit later to be honest – he’s pricked his ears and run around in front.”
It made no difference, because Farhan had plenty in hand from the foot of the weights.
Doyle added: “I got there too easily really. He’s got no weight on him today, and I’m sure his mark is going to change dramatically after that – he’s very progressive.
“I rode him early on in his career, and he was a bit of a boyo, a bit of a playboy, but he’s really come to hand.
“Johnny (Butler) filled me with confidence. It was a great training performance, and today was his day.
“I knew what he was capable of. In these handicaps you need a bit of luck, because they can be quite messy and you need things to go your way – but I was on the best horse today.”
Vesela springs surprise in Doncaster’s Gillies Fillies’ Stakes
Ralph Beckett’s Vesela sprang a surprise to take Listed honours at Doncaster in the British EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes.
The Juddmonte three-year-old was the winner of a maiden on the same track as a juvenile, and has since stepped up to black-type class with creditable efforts in this season’s Abingdon, Lyric and Upavon Stakes.
She was only eighth in the Galtres at York last time, but bounced back on Town Moor to prevail by three-quarters of a length at 22/1 – from the staying-on Something Enticing.
Beckett said: “I got it wrong with her really – she got rolled over in the Lyric at York and she ran well in the Upavon at Salisbury.
“We ran her back quickly in the Galtres – which was a mistake. I shouldn’t have done it, but leaving her alone and running her here was a good idea as it turns out.”
Winning jockey Rob Hornby added: “I was just trying to keep her in a rhythm throughout – it was very hard work (on soft ground) out there.
“Not many horses were going to make up a lot of ground. But I was in front too soon – she did well to keep battling all the way to the line, because it was a lonely enough place for her and she stuck at it well.”
The Virgin Bet Handicap went to a second successive 22/1 shot – and another bouncing back from a below-par run, William Haggas’ Boosala.
The four-year-old was 11th of 12 in the Bengough Stakes at Ascot last time, but returned to form as the middle leg of trebles for jockey Tom Marquand and Haggas.
Boosala raced in mid-division and took the lead a furlong from home, before crossing the line a length and a quarter ahead of Young Fire.
“He was against some former Group One horses, but he’s really bounced out of Ascot well,” said Marquand.
“William had him good and ready, and just told me to ride him with patience and stay relaxed so I got him to enjoy it.
“I tried to leave it as late as I could to produce him – you really notice the wind when you’re in behind them and you come out into it. It does hit you.
“It was a really nice performance and it’s nice to have him back on track, because he promised plenty early on.”
Haggas added: “He’s had a few issues and he was too fresh at Ascot – the ground was very soft, and he ran himself into the ground.
“He’s always been a nice horse. He’s had a few issues, but he’s over them now.
“Our enthusiasm for him fell by the wayside after Asco,t but he’s done well today.”
Mick Channon’s Wonderful World was a winning 5/2 favourite in the opening Virgin Bet Nursery Handicap, by a length and a quarter under Marquand – who completed his treble on Haggas’ odds-on chance Hebrides in division two of the Virgin Bet Cock O’The North EBF Maiden Stakes.
Division one of the same race also went to Haggas – with Shadwell debutante Kidwah, at 4/1 under Jim Crowley.
