Holland keeps up pressure with brace
Darryll Holland maintained his pursuit of Kieren Fallon in the jockeys’ championship by bagging a double at Ascot today.
Wins on Arkholme in the Sony Claiming Stakes and True Night in the Woodcote Stud Handicap moved the Manchester-born rider on to the 76-winner mark in the title race, five behind multiple champion Fallon.
“I’m getting more confident, getting more winners,” said Holland. “Kieren’s going to have to fight to the end.”
Holland, having ridden a patient race on Arkholme (7-2), then displayed a positive approach on True Night (7-2), who had been a narrowly beaten third at Newmarket three days earlier.
The jockey shadowed the pace before leading three furlongs out on Dandy Nicholls’ seven-year-old, who held Manaar and Azreme by a neck and half a length.
The horse’s part-owner, tipster Henry Rix, said: “That was a grand ride by Darryll. I can’t believe he’s been able to settle in front like that. He’s a good man to have on board. The horse doesn’t usually settle and it has done today.
“The horse has been struggling with the handicapper but he loves Ascot. Now he could go to Goodwood, which he also likes.”
Holland came within inches of a treble when his late run with Cutting Crew was thwarted by top-weight Sergeant Cecil (16-1) in the Sony Wega Handicap.
Sergeant Cecil was returning to form under Jimmy Fortune, having disappointed at Sandown previously. He was afforded a patient ride and swooped from last to first in the straight to lead over a furlong out and repel Cutting Crew by a short head.
“He’d been disappointing earlier in the year but he’s come right now,” said his trainer Rod Millman. “At Sandown he pulled very hard and didn’t settle and ran disappointingly. But today Jimmy’s dropped him right out and put him to sleep and then obviously woke him up pretty well.”
Millman is hoping Sergeant Cecil will make the cut for the Ebor Handicap at York next month.
“He’ll probably go to Goodwood and then the Ebor,” said Millman. “He’s rated 86 at the moment so we’ll have to hope he can get in.”
Prince Aaron (11-2), eliminated from the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket on Thursday, provided compensation for connections when winning the Rendezvous Casino Rated Stakes under Gary Carter.
Conrad Allen’s four-year-old cruised into the lead entering the final furlong and quickened away to gain a comfortable length-and-a-half success from Armagnac.
Allen is now considering the Stewards’ Cup, for which Prince Aaron was trimmed to 14-1 (from 22-1) by Paddy Power and 16-1 (from 25-1) from Victor Chandler.
However, the horse, who also failed to make the cut for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last month, is not guaranteed a run at Goodwood as the 3lb penalty incurred today takes him only to 7st 12lb.
“He’s in the Stewards’ Cup and the Hong Kong race here the week before,” said Allen. “I wanted to run him in the Wokingham, where he was favourite, but he couldn’t get in, and then I fancied him for the Bunbury Cup, but even with his penalty he couldn’t get a run.
“We’ll aim for races like the Stewards’ Cup and the Ayr Gold Cup. I am going to go for it at Goodwood.”
Valentin (10-1) made a successful debut for trainer Richard Hannon in the Woodcote Stud Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, and gave former trainer Ken Ivory his first taste of success at Ascot.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to come to Ascot and win,” said Ivory. “I don’t know what Richard Hannon and his son have got, but they definitely do the business, don’t they? I’ve known Richard for years and this is great fun for me.”
Valentin picked up the thread from halfway under Dane O’Neill and quickened into the lead inside the final furlong to claim a three-and-and-a-half-length triumph from Dance Flower.
Hannon’s son and assistant, also Richard, added: “The way she’s won you wouldn’t be frightened to have a look at the Princess Margaret Stakes back here in a fortnight. The way she did that she’s obviously a nice filly. Otherwise we might find a nice conditions race.”
