Cool Calm collects at Ripon
Karl Burke will gear Calmdownmate towards a big prize at the Curragh next month after his convincing victory in the EBF BBC Radio York103.7FM & 104.3FM Novice Stakes at Ripon.
Burke’s Danehill colt was only having his third run but quickened up nicely for Pat Cosgrave to lead approaching the final furlong.
Calmdownmate was then pushed out to score by two lengths from long-time leader Anosti.
Burke enthused: “I could not believe his price. He was never a 7-1 chance as he ran a cracker at Newmarket, but was very green.
“I bought him at the Doncaster Breeze-Up Sales and I have always liked him - he has got a right engine in him.
“He will be better with a bit of cut in the ground and better over another furlong.
“The Goffs Million (at the Curragh on September 14) is the target and he will have a race before.
“I think he will compete at Group Three standard.”
Malcheek booked a date back to Ripon later this month following a game success in the £15,000 Armstrong Handicap.
David Allan sent the Tim Easterby-trained gelding into the lead at the halfway stage of the six-furlong event.
Although he was challenged on both sides, the 12-1 shot kept up the gallop to the line to beat Inter Vision by a length, with Caribbean Coral half a length further away in third.
Easterby said: “He was in over seven furlongs at Chester on Sunday but I thought we would come here over six and that if he went well, he would definitely go for the Great St Wilfrid (at Ripon on August 18).
“The only way he wouldn’t is if the ground was soft.
“I can’t tell you why he has only run over six furlongs twice before but he will stay at that trip now and he loves fast ground – it can’t be too firm for him.”
Kevin Ryan’s decision to drop Rann Na Cille back in trip to five furlongs for the first time paid off when the filly ran out a ready winner of the KGM Motor Insurance 50th Anniversary Selling Handicap.
Neil Callan had the 6-1 shot placed on the heels of the leaders from the outset.
Asked to go about her business inside the last quarter of a mile, she led over a furlong out and held off the challenge of Silly Gilly by three-quarters of a length.
Ryan, who retained Rann Na Cille without a bid in the subsequent auction, said: “She is of limited ability but she is game and genuine and she could win a little claimer now.”
Ahlawy (9-2) ran out a length-and-a-half winner of the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap in the hands of Paul Mulrennan.
Trained by Mick Easterby, victorious owner Ken Hodgson said: “He did it well, he looked a winner quite a way out and the trip and the ground suited him.”
Dean McKeown sustained a suspected broken right collarbone when Isidore Bonheur clipped the heels of Harvest Warrior and fell heavily two furlongs out.
There was a thrilling finish to the Black Sheep Brewery Maiden Stakes, with Marcus Tregoning’s Starry Messenger just getting the verdict from Earl Marshal under a splendid ride from apprentice William Buick.
A stewards’ inquiry was called, but the result was allowed to stand.
Riguez Dancer won the concluding Baldfox International Leisure Handicap under a good ride from Lee Enstone.
Trainer Pat Haslam’s son, Ben, said: “The course did not really suit him, he would be better suited by a more galloping track.
“We were very positive with him and rode him to get the trip.”
