Diablo fires for red-hot Spencer
The last of the fast-track qualifiers guaranteeing a Good Friday outing at Lingfield on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, the two-mile contest was run at a sedate pace, with Spencer having a mid-division spot on the David Simcock-trained five-year-old as Clowance Estate did the work up front.
The latter stuck to his guns bar a blip down the back straight but dangers were all around just over a furlong out and after getting on terms, Spencer, who had a double in Dubai on World Cup night, was in no mood to be denied as the post loomed, recording a head success from Noble Silk with the long-time leader another nose further back in third.
Victory for the 6-1 winner sees a spot secured in the 32Red All-Weather Marathon Championship Conditions Stakes on April 18, which has a prize fund of £150,000.
Biotic landed a few chunky wagers following the six-furlong Family Fun At Kempton On 19.04.14 Handicap. Backed into 5-4 favouritism, the Rod Millman-trained three-year-old was rarely troubled on his first foray into handicaps.
Andrea Atzeni was keen to get a nice pitch along the far rail from stall two and made most of the running en route to two-length verdict over the game Jalebi. Millman said: “He’s big, but he’s still weak. I think he’ll be a lovely horse in 12 months’ time. He’s never been off the bridle at home.”
Ryan Moore landed the Sheema Classic aboard Gentildonna at Meydan on Saturday and was in the rather more becalmed Kempton winner’s enclosure after the Download The BetVictor App Now Maiden Stakes.
Arab Spring, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and sent off the 4-6 favourite, found Arable a willing foe for a long way but the four-year-old colt was well on top by the time he pulled a length and a half clear at the line.
Moore was later on the mark with another well-supported favourite in Dutiful Son.
Jeremy Noseda’s 1-2 market leader came strongly from off a stop-start pace to take the 6 Places At Aintree At BetVictor.com Handicap by a length and three-quarters from Vincentti.
Cathedral then emerged the most comprehensive winner of the day in the BetVictor 6 Place Grand National Handicap.
The 7-2 chance, trained by Ed de Giles, already held a commanding lead at the top of the home straight under Oisin Murphy and extended his advantage to six lengths over 15-8 favourite Minstrels Gallery.
Dazzling Venture (11-2) overcome distinct truculence going to post for the Grand National 6 Places At BetVictor.com Fillies’ Handicap to win well for jockey Natasha Eaton on her 27th birthday.
It had fleetingly appeared a match between Kenny’s Girl and Lily Edge, but Eaton came fast and late on the outside.
