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Day to savour for Nicholls

Jack Nicholls enjoyed a day to remember after celebrating both his first win on the Rowley Mile and in the silks of leading owner Wathnan Racing aboard Quiescent in the British Stallion Studs EBF “Jersey Lily” Fillies’ Nursery Stakes.

The 19 year-old, who is the son of jockey turned trainer Adrian Nicholls, made the most of his big opportunity when steering the daughter of Pinatubo to her second career success in the £50,000 prize.

Victory appeared to be heading the way of early leader Queen Tamara, who appeared to have slipped the field out in front under Hollie Doyle, but with one last thrust the 11/4 chance rallied on gamely to get up by a neck.

Nicholls, who is based at the Karl Burke stable, said: “That was very good. I was very excited when my agent told me I was going to have a ride for Wathnan Racing on a big day like today. She had a lightweight and it has worked out. She is only going to get better on soft ground and I’m just delighted to have my first ride for Wathnan being a winner.”

And winning trainer Hamad Al Jehani hinted that Quiescent could now take a step up in class on her next start.

He said: “The only thing that concerned us was the ground as we didn’t think she would have the speed to handle that ground, but we knew she was perfect to handle the Rowley Mile. I think she deserved to have that second win of her career.

“We can give her a big excuse at Goodwood as it was very tight between her first race and second race so we then gave her more time. We know she is a nice filly and that she could so something could and we thought this would be the perfect spot for her.

“I think after that race we will see what her handicap mark will be, but I think we will try and target a stakes race in soft or heavy ground for her.”

Winning start from Mubasimah

Mubasimah showed a professional attitude to hit the ground running on her debut with a front running success in division one of the Blandford Bloodstock Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Making a swift exit from stall eight the Andrew Balding-trained 11/1 chance was always in control of matters in the seven furlong event, which featured 3.7 million guineas purchase, and 6/5 favourite, Act Of Kindness, after finding plenty in front.

Fellow newcomer Shady Dame briefly threatened to make a race of it approaching the final furlong, but she could never quite get on terms with a length and a quarter separating the pair at the line, with the market leader a further three quarters of a length adrift back in third.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “Andrew told me this morning that he really liked and that she was really coming forward. He thought she would run a big race. He didn’t say she would win, but he thought she would run a big race. When they ever looked like coming to her she has found a little bit more.

“They left him alone, and that was all well and good. You can’t be in a better place than if they leave you alone. She wasn’t too green, that is for sure. She looks like she has a bit of depth about her so I think she will be alright next year.

“I’d probably say we will put her away for next year. If Andrew thinks she has come out of it bouncing we may give it second thoughts.”

Royal winner for Beckett

Golden Orbit carried the famous silks belonging to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen to glory in division two of the seven furlong fillies’ maiden.

Having saddled Saqqara Sands to land the race 12 months ago trainer Ralph Beckett repeated the feat with the daughter of Sea The Stars, who stayed on well to defeat Ottoman Empress by three-quarters-of-a length.

Rossa Ryan, winning jockey, said: “She is well bred and there is plenty of her. I imagine she will do well over the winter. She is a filly that, on pedigree, would scream out that a longer trip would be no problem in time. She liked that ground and composed herself well.

“She was green early, but she has a nice way about her as she figured it out as we were going along and she did it well. I gave her one flick and she galloped all the way through to the line. She took plenty of pulling up and she is a grand filly for the future.”

Ascot not ruled out for Elarak

A quick turnaround has not been ruled out for Elarak, who returned to winning ways in decisive fashion in the concluding Ambassador Cruise Line Handicap.

Out of luck in his two previous starts since adding to his Lingfield novice event in a similar contest on the July Course, the Charlie Hills-trained Kingman colt bounced back to winning ways dropped back to seven furlongs.

And following the win, which completed a double for Classic-winning rider Marquand, connections hinted that he could make a swift appearance in the BetMGM Challenge Cup at Ascot next weekend.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to winning owner Shadwell Estate Company, said: “He is a nice horse that had previously won two races for us, but he disappointed us the last two times. Tom gave him a lovely ride and I thought he won really well.

“It was the right race and we never worried coming back to seven furlongs, but I don’t think he has any problem over a mile. Hopefully he will be a really nice Saturday horse. He would love the ground if it stays like this, but we will see what Charlie thinks. I’m just pleased to get him back on the scoreboard again.”

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