Newmarket Saturday review and replays

Albany plan for Jabaara

Roger Varian will take a tried and tested route with Jabaara who secured her place at Royal Ascot when demonstrating an engine like the Rolls-Royce Merlin ones inside the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane on display at Newmarket on Saturday.

Having claimed the race with subsequent Albany Stakes winner Daahyeh back in 2019 the Newmarket handler will now take aim at the same Group Three prize with Jabaara following her debut success in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Despite having to be switched around the outside of the entire field in order to get a clear run the daughter of Exceed And Excel sprouted wings late on in the six-furlong event under David Egan before prevailing by three quarters of a length.

Following the race, which was won 12 months ago by this year’s QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner Mawj and last year’s 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet in 2021, Jabaara was introduced at 8.1 for the Albany Stakes by both Paddy Power and Betfair.

Varian said of the successful 2/1 Favourite: “She has always looked smart. I thought she did well there as she was a touch green and he (David Egan) had to take her off heels, switch, and start his run again. I thought she was a filly with a lot of ability to be able to do that on debut. She pricked her ears as she crossed the line. I think she is quite nice. We have been fortunate to win the Albany twice before and I think this filly should go straight there as I think she is quite good and she looked it there today. Time will tell us what the form is worth.

“I thought for a few weeks that she could be an Albany horse. I nearly got her started a few weeks ago but that was only a five furlong option but she has shaped at home as if she has wanted this six. A strong pace at Ascot over a stiff six on decent ground would suit her I would have thought.”

Change of fortune for Palmer

Hugo Palmer might have been left cursing his luck after pranging his car, but the Classic-winning handler was given something to smile about after Chelsea Green (16/1) set up a trip to the Royal meeting with victory in the Aspall Cyder 1728 Handicap.

After finishing seventh over course and distance in the Listed Montrose Fillies’ Stakes on her final start last season, the daughter of U S Navy Flag left that effort behind when scoring by a length to give winning jockey Ross Coakley his first victory at the track.

Richard Morecombe, president of winning owners Chelsea Thoroughbreds, said: “I thought she would run better than her price. She did it the right way this time.
She was a bit gassy last year but they went quick today and she relaxed well. She has grown up a lot and will probably get further than a mile in time. All roads lead to Royal Ascot now and she will go straight to the Sandringham. Hugo pranged his car that is why he is not here. It was only a small prang and he was fine but hopefully that will be a fillip.”

Catton hailed after Quinault win

Stuart Williams praised the work put in behind the scenes by apprentice jockey Luke Catton after Quinault scored for the second time over course and distance in the space of 48 hours in the Aspall Suffolk Draught Cyder Handicap.

Showing no signs of his recent exertions catching up with him the Oasis Dream gelding backed up his six-furlong victory at the track on Thursday evening by a length under Marco Ghiani to complete a four-timer for the year.

The Newmarket handler said of the triumphant 9-4 market leader: “I thought if he could win here Thursday he would be in the handicap today. As it turned out the one at the top of the weights rated 105 came out so he was well in the handicap.

“It was unfortunate Luke Catton couldn’t ride him today as he couldn’t do the weight. Luke has done a brilliant job settling him at home as he was a tearaway when he came but that is why Godolphin put him in the sale in the first place. He will probably go to York now for the valuable three year old six furlong handicap as long as he comes out of this fine.”

Gredley dreaming of another Leger

Thoughts of an outing in the St Leger moved to the forefront of the mind of Classic-winning owner Bill Gredley after he saw Climate Friendly finally open her account at the fourth attempt in the Darley Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Frankel filly took a significant step forward from her previous three runs when springing a surprise in the £50,000 contest under Group One-winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was having just his fifth ride at the track.

Showing an abundance of stamina the 12/1 chance, who Gredley owns in conjunction with his family, wore down Strong Impact inside the closing stages of the mile and a half prize before drawing away to score by a length and a quarter.

Gredley said: “The further she has gone, the better she has got. I think she has done a bit of growing up as she was a little bit immature and it was all coming a bit quick to her. I always thought she would stay this sort of trip and the jockey said she would get further. He rode a good race on her.”

An outing at Royal Ascot could be on the cards for Climate Friendly ahead of an outing in the final Classic of the season, which Gredley won back in 1992 with User Friendly. User Friendly also won the Oaks at Epsom Downs.

The 90-year old added: “I’ve won the St Leger once and it would be nice to have another go at it. She is in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot so I think we will have a look at that.”

Montassib bowls connections over

The decision to make a trip to the Rowley Mile as opposed to spending the day watching cricket paid dividends for connections of Montassib, who put himself in contention for a Royal Ascot return following his win the Aspall Blush Cyder Handicap.

After finishing fifth when sent off favourite for the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting last year the William Haggas-trained Exceed And Excel gelding moved a step closer to a second outing in the seven furlong contest after striking gold by a length and quarter from Star Of Orion over the same trip.

Guy Roberts, member of the Montassib Partnership, said: “We were very pleased with that as it showed his last run at Haydock Park was no flash in the pan. We think he is quite a nice horse and we are delighted with him. For a five year old he has very few miles on the clock. We were going to go home and watch some cricket after this as that is what we do most Saturday’s but I’m not sure about that now. We will be guided by William what to do but it would be lovely to have another day out at Royal Ascot.”

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org