Beech delivers on Irish raid

Willie Murphy, who trains near the Curragh in County Kildare, ended a lean spell when Beechside made the long trip from Ireland to Newcastle pay off with victory in the CPD Distribution Maiden Stakes.

The Dale Gibson-ridden 6-1 chance had a fair bit of ground to make up on the leaders two from home but she picked up well to strike the front inside the final furlong and eventually beat Mickleberry by a length.

Winning owner Thomas Waters, who is also based in Kildare said: “I had not been over to see her on her last three runs over here, but Willie said he thought she would win so we came!

“There are not many opportunities for her back in Ireland, so that is why we have been coming over.

“She wasn’t finishing her races earlier in the season but she has been getting stronger and is finishing now – Willie hadn’t had a winner for over two years and I think this is his first in England.”

Golden Groom upheld the family reputation as he supplemented a recent Ripon success in game fashion under Paul Fessey in the USG Handicap.

Fessey dashed the Chris Fairhurst-trained gelding into the lead well over a furlong out and he saw out the two miles to pass the post with half a length to spare over Balakar.

Fairhurst said of the 9-2 joint-favourite: “He has been immature but he is getting there, it took an age to get the penny to drop but he is doing well now.

“He has come of age, but will be an even better horse next year.

“He is owned and was bred by George Leggott and his son Simon. He is from a very good family, he is a half-brother to Passion Fruit, who has done us proud, King’s Welcome, who won at a Shergar Cup meeting, and Boldly Goes, who won the Champion Two-Yrs-Old Trophy at Ripon.”

Mark Johnston struck with his only runner of the afternoon when Atabaas Pride gained a well-deserved first success in the hands of Greg Fairley in the EBC Classic Excel Maiden Stakes.

Atabaas Pride, who had found just one too good for him on his last three outings, had two and a half lengths to spare over Andaman Sunset.

Johnston’s wife Deirdre said of the 1-2 favourite: “He really deserved that, he went so close at Goodwood, he finished very fast and would have won in two more strides.

“We have had a good run for his owners and Lina’s Selection has two options for them this weekend while Soapy Danger is not far off running.”

Fairley completed a double when Quicks The Word (10-1) chalked up his second success of the campaign for Cumbria-based Tommy Cuthbert, who combines training with his role as blacksmith at several racecourses, including Newcastle.

Cuthbert said: “He is not spectacular but he has got a good turn of foot. I would like a yard full of horses like him and I thought he would do it.”

Nicky Mackay was seen to good effect as he got Luca Cumani’s Bankable (11-8 favourite) up in the last 25 yards or so to beat the long-time leader Trees Of Green in the Armstrong Maiden Stakes.

Apprentice James O’Reilly had his claim cut to 5lb when getting Garibaldi (20-1) home in front for his father Jimmy in a good finish to the concluding Sheffield Insulations Handicap.