Given raises sights with Folga

James Given could step Folga up in class at Ayr at the weekend after his charge recorded a straightforward success in the E.B.F. Park Suite Fillies’ Handicap Stakes at a sun-drenched Pontefract.

The £18,000 (€25,906) contest had attracted seven useful fillies but the recent Redcar winner had no trouble in adding to that success, even under top weight.

The Kevin Darley-ridden 5-2 favourite held off Riquewihr by a length and a quarter and the trainer suggested afterwards that a step up in class was next on the agenda for the filly in search of some black type.

“She’s just ground them out of it – the firm ground wasn’t a problem to her,” Given explained.

“We were concerned about the stiffness of the six but she handled it well.

“She is entered in a Listed race at Ayr on Sunday over five furlongs – I’m not sure that is ideal but it would be great to get some black type for her as she has won five races now.

“She’ll make a nice broodmare but hopefully not for a few years!” he laughed.

Darley was just touched off in the other feature race of the day, the Spindrifter Conditions Stakes over six furlongs for two-year-olds.

A small but select field of four went to post and Mark Johnston supplied two of those and unbelievably both crossed the line together.

Darley was on the pace setting Armigerent and Joe Fanning rode Dubai’s Touch, a recent Ripon winner.

They were both awarded the same time but the judge declared Dubai’s Touch the winner.

Johnston explained: “He’s done well to win because it was always going to be a difficult race tactically.

“Dubai’s Touch has shown kinks in his previous races and he still ran green so there is more to come.

“Armigerent has entries in maidens and I don’t know where Dubai’s Touch will go next as he’s had two quick runs now,” he added.

The first race on the card, the Southdale/Circa Ladies Handicap Stakes was won by Carol Barclay on Silverhay.

Despite top weight, Barclay was always in complete control and the 9-2 favourite responded gamely to pressure to see off the fast-finishing Cormorant Wharf (6-1) by a half length, with 13-2 chance Seattle Robber a further length and three-quarters back in third.

Tony Culhane gave Dream Rose a cracking ride from a wide draw to claim the Aedas Architects Fillies’ Handicap Stakes for Mick Channon.

The 14-1 chance was drawn widest of all 13 runners in the mile contest but Culhane steered a path to glory on the three-year-old for her first success which may have extended her stay at Channon’s yard.

As Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah, explained: “I thought she needed seven furlongs and a sharp track.

“That was after she was beaten at Ayr but she has come round them all from a bad draw today.

“She was going to go to the sales but after this I don’t know if the owner will want to let her go.”

Acts Of Grace was an impressive winner of the Wilfred Underwood Memorial Maiden Fillies’ Stakes for John Dunlop and Kerrin McEvoy.

McEvoy never needed to apply maximum pressure on the 5-2 favourite and black type could well be her aim in the future.

McEvoy said: “She’s improved a lot through her first three runs and she could possibly pick up some black type.

“She’s still learning and if she keeps going in that direction there is every chance she will.”

Richard Fahey’s Collete’s Choice (6-1) won the Thirsk Are Racing Tomorrow Handicap in good style under Paul Hanagan after a couple of placed efforts.

The Wragby Handicap Stakes was turned in to a procession by Roger Whitaker’s Kayminch Perfecto under 7lb claimer Michael Stainton at 11-2.