Cyprus opens racing account

Keys Of Cyprus has a long way to go to mirror the achievements of his half-brother Continent but he nevertheless made an impressive start to his racing career in the Ouse Maiden Stakes at Catterick today.

The David Nicholls-trained three-year-old was easy to back for his belated first appearance and went off at 6-1 but he travelled like the winner throughout the six furlongs.

Adrian Nicholls eased Keys Of Cyprus out to challenge at the furlong pole and the gelding stormed clear to beat Underthemistletoe in great style by five lengths.

“He’s taken a bit of getting ready and it’s best not to get carried away but he couldn’t do any more than win like that. He soon put daylight between himself and the rest and next time will be interesting,” said Nicholls’ representative, Ernie Greaves.

Continent gained Group One wins for Nicholls in the July Cup and Prix de l’Abbaye and Greaves added: “David bought him around the time of the July sales last year purely because he was a half-brother to Continent.”

A former Nicholls horse was on the mark 30 minutes later when Ballybunion (10-1) recorded his fourth course win in the Ken Kirby 80th Birthday Handicap to end a frustrating run of seconds for his trainer Ron Harris.

The tough six-year-old was always chasing the leaders before staying on under 3lb claimer Mark Savage to lead inside the final furlong and beat long-time leader Mystery Pips by a length and a half.

“That was needed because we’ve had three weeks of coming second and last week I think we had five seconds,” said Chepstow-based Harris.

“We’ve had Ballybunion for about three months after I claimed him at Brighton off Dandy Nicholls for £6,000 (€8,800).

“He’s been so consistent for us and he really likes it round here.”

Spring Breeze (3-1) warmed up for a hurdling campaign with an easy success in the hands of Phillip Makin in the Esk Handicap.

Alani and Spring Breeze set off at a good clip for the two miles but the latter soon saw off his rival’s attentions and established a clear advantage which he never looked like giving up.

In the end he came home unchallenged by seven lengths from Reminiscent with another nine back to Golden Measure.

It was Spring Breeze’s third course and distance win and trainer Michael Dods said: “It helped getting taken on because he’s worried the other one out of it and he was left with a long lead, which we wanted, and once he’s turned in that was it.

“He’ll probably go jumping now. He jumps well, but he’ll still need the visor because he’s lazy into them.

“We just thought we’d take in Catterick on the way because he loves it here.”

Fayr Sky improved on her two previous runs to take the Swale Median Auction Maiden Stakes in the green and pink colours of the Snailwell Stud.

John Quinn’s youngster was always in touch with the leaders under Michael Fenton before being brought to challenge down the outside.

She took a while to get into top gear and it was not until close home that the 5-1 shot hit the front to win going away by a length from Sandwith.

“She had run all right the first two times and at Beverley last time she ran OK from a shocking draw but she did it well today,” said Quinn.

“It wasn’t a great race and we’ll look for a little nursery now. She settled well today and she could get six furlongs.”

Quinn added: “The Snailwell syndicate have sent me one for the last three or four years but this is the first winner I’ve had for them.”

Love Palace made all the running under Kevin Darley to take the Derwent Handicap for local trainer Mark Johnston, who was also on the mark with McEldowney at Brighton.

Johnston has now saddled 94 winners and is well on his way to his 12th consecutive century in a season.

The rejuvenated Undeterred continued his hot streak with his third victory inside 15 days in the Nidd Classified Stakes.

There was only a steady gallop for the six furlongs but Neil Callan on the 2-1 favourite always had matters under control and he sent the nine-year-old to the front close home to win by a length from Compton Plume.

Winning trainer David Barron said: “He’s in tremendous fettle and Neil said he would have won more easily if it had been a stronger pace.”

Fenton completed a 44-1 double on Ushindi in the closing Foss Handicap. But he needed all his skill to keep the reluctant filly going after hitting the front over a furlong out and she only just held on by a head from the rallying Cup Of Love.

“She was going well but she just pulled up in front with me. She’s a bit quirky and she just held on,” Fenton said.