Newmarket Friday review & replays

Derby route for Egypt

All roads lead to the Betfred Derby for Ancient Egypt who demonstrated an impressive attitude to get his career back on track in the JCB Newmarket Stakes.

After surrendering his unbeaten record when beating just one rival home on his last visit to the Rowley Mile in the Group Two Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes, the son of Frankel left that effort behind when returning to winning ways in the Listed prize.

One of two runners in the mile and quarter race for Amo Racing Ltd, who were also represented by Lyneham, the 16/1 chance moved smartly into contention before locking horns with recent Newbury runner-up My Love Is King in a battle to the line.

However, the Charlie Johnston-trained colt was to emerge on top with Rowan Scott driving his mount out to glory by two lengths.

Johnston said: “Once he won his two novices we felt we had to dip our toe in a higher grade at the backend of last year, but always in the back of my head I thought we might be trying to run before we could walk.

“You only have to watch him here today messing about as he is still an immature baby. He was quite colty on his first two starts and he was learning the job slowly.

“It was a disappointing run in the Royal Lodge, and there is no getting away from that, but I didn’t lose faith in the horse. It is interesting this spring as both Rowan and David (Egan) have been in to sit on him a couple of times.

“The feedback I was getting is that we should be going a mile and a half straight away. The original plan had been to go to Chester next week, and he actually worked with Lazy Griff last Saturday, and I thought he was in great order so we shouldn’t bypass this opportunity.

“He was there to be shot at from a long way out. They probably got to within a length of him going into the dip and he has actually gone away again at the line. I don’t get sent many horses with this kind of price tag so to deliver with them is important."

Following the race Johnston insisted that Ancient Egypt will now try and go one better than stable mate Lazy Griff, who finished second in the Derby 12 months ago, in the Epsom Downs showpiece on June 6.

However, while still showing signs of immaturity Johnston believes he should handle the occasion.

He added: “He will stay the extra two furlongs standing on his head and his next run will be at Epsom.

“Touchwood, he is growing up all the time. Rowan rode him on his first two starts last year and he said he was much more grown up going down to post. That will be a very different occasion for him there, but he has got a nice blend of speed and stamina which you need for that test.

“He came down the dip here, but Epsom is another challenge altogether.”

Earth off the mark in style

Earth Shot earned an immediate step up in class after making a stylish return to action in the Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.

Having chased home stablemate My Ophelia on her debut at Newbury back in October, the William Haggas-trained daughter of Time Test went one better with a clear cut victory in the mile and a quarter test.

Racing just in behind the early pace, which was cut out for much of the race by Malika, the 10/11 favourite swept to the front as the field hit the two furlong pole. Once in front the odds-on market leader galloped on relentlessly all the way to the line before scoring by five lengths from debutant Velvet Vega.

Haggas said: “It was probably not a strong race for the type of race, but she did it very nicely. I think she wants some slow-ish ground as she ran a very good race on heavy ground (last season). She handled the ground well and handled the undulations well and won comfortably.

“That was a good start to her season. She has got a bit more development to come in her skin and I think she will be okay."

Following the race Haggas stated that Earth Shot will now be aimed at the Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury on May 16 ahead of a potential tilt at the Betfred Oaks at Epsom Downs on June 5, for which Paddy Power cut her from 33/1 into 25/1.

Haggas added: “Her owners sponsor the mile and a quarter fillies' race on Lockinge day and I suspect we will have a go there and see if she is worthy of her place in the Oaks.

“She didn’t look like she was stopping to me, and the dam’s progeny have stayed very well so I’ve no doubt she will get the trip, but whether she is quite ready for a test like that (the Oaks) we will see.

“We ran a filly in the Newbury race last year, and she got lapped, but Sea Of Class won it. She is no Sea Of Class yet, but she is a promising looking filly."

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