Ryan excited by Triple win
Kevin Ryan views Triple Time as a potential Classic contender for next season following an impressive front-running victory in the Betfair Exchange Ascendant Stakes at Haydock.
The son of Frankel was sent straight to the lead by Andrea Atzeni and comfortably shrugged off the attentions of Hafit and land an emphatic success in the one-mile contest.
Having made all when winning by nine lengths to open his account over the course and distance on his third start, Triple Time (3/1) took the step up to Listed company in his stride. He moved strongly in front and pulled out more when challenged by the 8-11 favourite Hafit to land the spoils by a length and a half.
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Ryan said: “He’s a homebred horse of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s and even in the spring we thought he was very special.
“He’s taken a bit of time. Physically he’s there, but mentally he’s just taken racing to really learn the job. He was very impressive today. We were very worried about the ground, but Sheikh Mohammed Obaid is never afraid to get them beat and we decided we’d find out if handled it or not. He’s handled it and he’s probably handled it because he’s a very good horse.”
Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Betfair cut Triple Time to 10/1 from 16/1 for the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on September 25.
And while Ryan is in no rush to commit to the exciting colt’s next target, he already has one eye on races like the 2000 Guineas and French Derby next season.
“I’ll have to speak to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid about that (Royal Lodge),” said the trainer. “He’s done everything we’ve needed to do this year and he’s obviously identified himself as a very talented horse. We’ll do what’s right by the horse. He’s going to be a very exciting horse for next year."
Double delight for Atzeni
Atzeni completed a double when Artistic Rifles led his rivals a merry dance to secure his fourth success of the season in the Betfair Double Daily Rewards Superior Mile at Haydock.
The winner produced an authoritative display – passing the post with a length and a quarter in hand over Bell Rock, with hot favourite Lord Glitters only fourth.
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsJames Bethell, father of the winning trainer, said: “Ed has gone to a wedding in Ireland. He was rather reluctant to go, but I think his girlfriend made him, so she can get the blame! I’m rather emotional, funnily enough. I couldn’t be more proud and more pleased.”
He added: “It was entirely the trainer’s decision to run today. I’d have waited until next Saturday for a £50,000 handicap at Doncaster! This horse went through the sales last year for £5,000 and didn’t get a bid.
“I’d definitely have to ask the trainer where he’ll go from here, but I would think he might think about going to Dubai. He loves fast ground and he’s at his best when he’s making the running.”
Flame gets back on track
Jockey Joe Fanning was described as the “master at doing it from the front” by connections after Golden Flame made all to get his career back on track in the “My Odds Boost” On Betfair Handicap.
The Mark Johnston-trained three year old bounced back from defeat in the Melrose Handicap at York to secure his third win of the year and a first since April in the mile and three quarter prize with an all the way victory under Fanning.
Although faced with a host of challengers late on none could pass the 9-1 chance, who kept on finding from the front to pass the post a length clear of Praiano.
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsJock Bennett, assistant trainer, said: “That was very good. He came back from a bit of a disappointing run. It is pretty fast out there. I did notice that the first two winners made all and it looks like it is suiting front runners at the moment.
“We all know that Joe is the master at doing it from the front. To be fair to the horse it looked like he was the last one off the bridle but he stuck his head out and done it well.”
Like Bennett, winning rider Fanning had nothing but praise for the attitude shown by Golden Flame.
He told ITV Racing: “He’s done it well. He’s a lovely straightforward horse and he just gallops and stays well. It’s easy when you’ve got the horses. You can’t go without them so it makes your job a lot easier.
“It’s lovely fast ground but it is nice ground. He seems to enjoy that and he stays all day. He wasn’t stopping. I don’t know what Mark and Charlie’s plans are (for Golden Flame) but it’s up to them now.”
Following the race Golden Flame was cut to 20/1 by Sky Bet, Betfair and Paddy Power for the Together For Racing International Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket.
Bennett added: “I would say he is tough enough for the Cesarewitch, even though he is only three. Like every one of ours they are better going up in trip. He looked like staying every inch of that. He would have to go further in the Cesarewitch and it is a different sort of race which is likely to be on soft ground.”
Brave lives up to name in Old Borough Cup
Island Brave lived up to his name to claim victory in a thrilling renewal of the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup at Haydock.
Heather Main’s stable star had not managed to get his head in front in seven previous outings this season, but a change of tactics brought about a change in fortunes on Merseyside.
Ridden from the front by Silvestre de Sousa, the 10-1 shot looked booked for minor honours at best when passed by the strong-travelling 4-1 favourite Noble Masquerade inside the final two furlongs.
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsBut Island Brave was not done with as he battled back tenaciously to retake the lead and he had just enough in reserve to hold the fast-finishing pair of Alright Sunshine and Nicholas T at bay by half a length and a nose respectively.
Winning owner Donald Kerr said: “That was a fantastic – a great result. We dropped him back in trip as it was good to firm ground and that’s what he wants. I thought Silvestre gave him a brilliant ride. I was a little bit worried when the other horse passed him, but he fought back."
