Newmarket Friday: Reports, reaction and free video replays

Cup king Lane back on track

Hurricane Lane (2/1) got his career firmly back on track with victory in the Jockey Club Cup.

Winner of the Irish Derby and St leger in 2021, he finished last of seven on his return in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury but was a completely different proposition on Friday.

Travelling powerfully throughout under William Buick he was sent clear of his rivals entering the Dip and was in no danger from that point.

Even-money favourite West Wind Blows was in trouble a long way out but plugged on for second but was demoted in the stewards' room and placed third behind Global Storm.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of the first two, said: “I know sometimes you can let your heart rule your head and people might have been thinking were we being a bit selfish wanting to run him but he showed us throughout the winter and into his spring his old demeanour.

“I know he was disappointing at Newbury but it was a big ask on heavy ground. We had seen what he could do since then and subsequently he had put a good bit of work in. Full credit to the team, but most importantly I have to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the team at home for keeping this horse in training because it is a big ask. It was D-day for him because at the end of the day we all know what everyone is like in asking the question as to why did he get beat (at Newbury) and saying that is he finished and gone.

“People enquired why he got beat and why were we coming back and coming back so soon as well. He showed us what he could do midweek. He worked there midweek with those cheek pieces on and we were hopeful we would see that today. Full credit to the team as everyone has persevered with this horse.

“At the end of a day when you have a horse that has given us, and the team, what he has given us of course you feel for them. You want them to do it and you want them to carry on. I’m just delighted for everyone. We will see if he is a Hardwicke horse in the summer, if the ground comes right. I always said I wanted to work back from an Arc. That might be a bit bold but we will see.”

William Buick, rider of Hurricane Lane, said: “It was absolutely brilliant and full credit to Charlie and the team. We were brave to bring him back here 13 days after Newbury and he has had a lovely experience on his doorstep. This is the Hurricane Lane that we know so it is lovely to have him back winning like that.

“There was a lot of question marks for sure but everyone was happy with him at home. I think all the information and knowledge everyone had of him was that he was in tip top order. We were probably hopeful of that performance as we thought he was back to his good three year old form. It was brilliant when I pressed on into the lead and you couldn’t have asked for anymore of him.”

Native Trail beaten by Mutasaabeq

Mutasaabeq (4/1) had too many guns for Native Trail as he ran out a convincing winner of the bet365 Mile.

The five-year-old adopted his customary position at the head of affairs and had the race in safe keeping with a furlong to run, stretching clear under a positive ride from Jim Crowley.

Native Trail, winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas last spring, was always on the back foot and had to be squeezed along at halfway just to try and keep tabs as the pace lifted courtesy of the solid gallop set by Mutasaabeq out in front.

There was three lengths between the winner and second at the line, with Light Infantry only a short-head back in third having shaped with plenty of promise on his seasonal reappearance.

Winning trainer Charlie Hills said: “He’s done that well and with a penalty too, so we’re delighted. He’s beaten some really good horses and Jim (Crowley) has let him get into a good rhythm. He does love it here and the headgear has helped.

“He’s put the race to bed real quick and hit home nicely, so I’m really pleased. He’s got a good record here, obviously there was a new addition to the line-up (compared to last week) with Native Trail. He’s run a good race in this at Sandown before and he was unlucky in it last year, but he’s got a good record here.

“I just love the way he put the race to bed – the blinkers have helped. We’ll look at the Lockinge now I suppose, he’s beautifully bred and the season rather maps itself out with him. It’s a week nearer this time as we were supposed to have this at Sandown last week, so we’ve got to get to work.”

Trainer Charlie Appleby said of the runner-up Native Trail: “William (Buick, jockey) was pleased and he said he was just a bit rusty. You could see from the gate he was just having to chivvy him along a little bit. He said he will sharpen up no end on that but he said that the most important thing was that he wanted it. He nursed him across the line given how long he has been off but he has held on for second. Take nothing away from the winner. He got a nice run and quickened again.
Where we go next I would say it would be the Queen Anne after that. Not all is lost there at all.”

Castle enters St Leger picture

Castle Way (7/1) took another step up the ladder when landing the Listed Newmarket Stakes for Appleby and Buick.

The strapping son of Almanzor was a taking winner of a course and distance nursery back in October, and a trip to Royal Ascot could now be on the cards following this equally impressive success.

Always in the front frank, Castle Way was still travelling powerfully as he inched into the lead with three furlongs to run, and Buick needed no second invitation to kick for home as the runners approached the dip.

Circle Of Fire, sporting the colours of the King, was on the heels of the winner throughout, but he was always fighting a losing battle and was a length and three quarters back in second at the line.

The Appleby-trained Victory Dance was eventually sent off the 7/2 market leader, but he could never land a telling blow in third having been held up in a race dominated by those to race prominently.

The well-backed Waipiro was a late non-runner due to an injury to jockey Tom Marquand.

Paddy Power and Betfair reacted by cutting the winner to 25/1 from 33/1 for the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster later in the season.

Winning trainer Charlie Appleby said: “I don’t quite know why the market was quite the way it was but that is not my business.

"As respect to the two horses and what they have achieved at home, William has always loved this horse. William, at the time, was sitting on the fence as to which one he would like to ride but he did say that he has always loved this horse so I’m going to stick with him and he has. He has given him a lovely ride and I said to William before going out let’s get on with it and let him use himself and he will stay further for sure.

“I’m very pleased with Victory Dance as well stepping up as that was his first time over the trip. On a more conventional track I think you will see further improvement.

"I would say Ascot (for the King Edward VII Stakes would be next for Castle Way) would be next and the only reason I didn’t put him in the Derby picture was he went around Epsom last year and got beat around there as favourite. Admittedly the ground was soft but Adam (Kirby) said he hated the track and he is just one of those horses that is a big unit.

"I feel we have tried and tested once on that track and I don’t really want to go back there again. I feel this horse is far better working from Ascot then going from there.”

William Buick, the winning rider, added:“It’s early days for the three-year-olds and you have got to see them run before you make an opinion of them. Both are very nice horses. I’m very pleased with my horse. It was his first run of the year and he will improve physically.

“I think he will get a mile and a half. He has got that nice combination of speed and stamina over that trip. He is a well-balanced horse and you have to be here. He couldn’t have done any more today."

Levey crowned King

Shouldvebeenaring (3/1) hit the front late to land the King Charles II Stakes.

Sean Levey brought Richard Hannon's charge with a sustained run to wear down his rivals on the climb to the line, going on to score by three-quarters-of-a-length. Benacre (11/2) was second narrowly ahead of Arabian Storm.

Winning trainer Richard Hannon said: “He has got the heart of a lion. He is not a big horse but he is one of the bravest you will see. I thought he would get seven furlongs and he did get it very well. He has barely ever run a bad race. There was a stage in that race that it looked like he was going to run horrible and he got a little fractious in the gates.

“He has been on the go a bit but he thrives on that. He gets better and better. I’m delighted for the horse. He is a little gem and he didn’t cost a lot of money and it is great for people like Middleham Park. You don’t have to do much with him at home as he does his own thing. It is Sean’s wedding on Monday and I’ve got one or two (rings) I can lend him! We will look at the Jersey (at Royal Ascot) but there is a nice race at Epsom, the Surrey Stakes before that.

“He will handle anything and go anywhere. Ascot is where these guys (owners Middleham Park Racing) want to be though. That kind of compensated for the all-weather (three year old championship) final and he was second. What a little gem he is.”

Successful jockey Sean Levey added: “They went a good gallop and he is a great minded horse. He always turns up. He is just so straightforward. They went a good gallop and that is probably why I’ve been convinced he wants six furlongs as he gets that gallop.

“Over seven if they go that bit steady it doesn’t necessarily suit but they went a true gallop there. I think for us he just keeps finding that little bit more. In a handicap now he is always going to be top weight which is difficult. One of his best runs was over six furlongs in the handicap here but he had to carry a lot of weight. Now that he has shown that he can run against these better types of horses and beat them there are definitely more opportunities to come. He keeps finding that bit more so I don’t see why not (that he could run in the Jersey Stakes). It is hard to say exactly where his limits are. It is a big day on Monday with my wedding and that has helped pay for some of it but not enough! I’m excited about it though.”

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