Semple ace hits the big time

Big Timer continued his rapid progress with his third win on the bounce in the Symphony Group Acomb Stakes on the opening day of the Ebor Festival at York.

Ian Semple’s exciting prospect had won his first two starts at Ayr and Ripon impressively and he was sent off a well-backed 5-4 favourite to complete his hat-trick in the Knavesmire Group Three contest.

And he did so in style in the hands of Tom Eaves, who produced him to lead over a furlong out. One smack of the whip and Big Timer drew readily clear to beat Gweebarra by two and a half lengths.

Speaking from his Carluke base, Semple said: “I’m over the moon. He’s fulfilled everything we’ve ever thought of him.

“The ground was a bit softer than he would want but he quickened nicely and he’ll come on again for it.

“He is without a doubt the best I’ve had.”

Big Timer was bought by jockey Dean McKeown for a bargain 15,000 and Semple has already been inundated with offers for the gelding.

He said: “We’ll look at the Somerville Tattersall and the Horris Hill Stakes as possible targets – if we’ve still got him, we might not have him in a month’s time.

“The phone never stopped ringing after he won at Ayr first time and it was the same after Ripon – I nearly pulled the phone off the wall.”

Eaves, who was enjoying his first Group-race victory, said: “Ian said from day one he’s the best he’s had. He’s always thought the world for him, it was just a case of proving it on the track and I think he’s proved it today.

“They couldn’t go quick enough for him at Ripon last time and my worry today was whether I’d get him settled early. He was running away at the two-pole and I kicked him in the belly and he’s stayed the seven furlongs no problem.

“He’s won his two other races so easily but I’ve had to get hold of him today and it’s the first time I’ve given him a slap and he’s done it going away.

“He’s still learning how to race and he’ll get better for racing.”

Dubai Builder is another highly-regarded youngster beginning to realise his potential as he showed with a convincing success in the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Stakes.

Stan Moore’s charge was held up by John Egan before he brought him with a powerful run to lead a furlong out and go clear to beat Gentleman Pirate by a length and a half.

“This is the best two-year-old I have in the yard,” said Moore.

“What we do with him later on, we’ll have to have a think about because I think he’s a horse with a very bright future.

“He’s in a couple of nice races later on. He’s in a Listed race in Germany in three weeks time.

“He loves this softer ground and when the ground turns there will be plenty of options for him.

“John said he was different gear on that ground.”

London Express hit the bookies hard when he landed a massive gamble in the Sportsman Racing Stakes.

Mark Johnston’s colt was backed from an early price of 15-2 into 7-2 favourite for the opener and duly obliged under a strong ride from Robert Winston.

He produced the market leader to hit the front two furlongs out and relishing the soft ground the three-year-old ran on gamely to beat Stretton by a head, despite his jockey dropping his whip.

William Hill described the result as “the worst possible start to the meeting” while it was reported to have cost totesport well into six figures.

“That was a good performance and I didn’t even know he’d dropped his stick,” said Johnston.

“Soft ground isn’t essential for this horse but he handles it when others don’t.”

A stewards’ inquiry was announced into possible interference between the first two inside the final furlong but the result was allowed to stand.

London Express, who won the best turned out award, was led up by former top apprentice Keith Dalgleish, who was forced to quite race riding due to weight problems.

Local trainer Richard Fahey is hoping Knot In Wood will get his chance in next month’s totesport Ayr Gold Cup after the gelding justified 4-1 favouritism by a neck in the Patrington Haven Leisure Park Stakes.

Paul Hanagan brought him with a late run to collar Pacific Pride well inside the final furlong and send punters home happy.

“He’s a horse I like and I think Paul did well to win from stall three,” said Fahey.

“He definitely wants juice in the ground.

“I thought he was an Ayr Gold Cup horse but I don’t think he’ll get in this year. He’ll struggle but he’ll get there one year.”