Sagaro next for Wing wonder
Gull Wing will dip her toe into Group company later this month with an outing in Ascot after taking the Weatherbys Bank “Further Flight” Stakes at Nottingham.
The filly acquitted herself well over middle distances last summer but relished the step up to a mile and six furlongs as she outfought Shipmaster for a nose success at odds of 6-1.
Trainer Michael Bell’s travelling head lad Roy Thorpe said: “The boss said this morning that if she won today then she would step up to two miles in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.”
Sonny Red, without a win since his juvenile days, hit the target as Richard Hughes ensured the 4-5 favourite crossed the line a head to the good in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Conditions Stakes.
Richard Hannon’s four-year-old was just touched off on his seasonal bow 11 days ago but always held the upper hand here from his rail draw and had enough in reserve to see off Hoh Hoh Hoh.
Hannon’s son and assistant Richard junior said: “I think he is a six-furlong horse to be honest and that will have done his confidence good.
“He will go to all the major sprints this summer and we’ll look at the Duke Of York Stakes, as well as races likes the Abernant and the Palace House Stakes before then.”
David Evans’ She’s A Shaw Thing (13-8) showed plenty of dash in the EBF Novice Stakes to sprint clear and set up a trip to Chester next month.
The recent Warwick winner faced just three others and easily burned then off by setting a ferocious gallop to deny Brocklesby winner and 4-5 favourite Sally’s Dilemma by six lengths.
Evans said: “She is still improving and that was very impressive – but it may have been a false impression due to the soft ground.
“The plan was to go for the Lily Agnes and that is what we will do. I just hope we get a low draw!”
Lee Enstone partnered his first winner since breaking his ankle last winter as Mission Impossible landed the Weatherbys Bloodstock Services Handicap.
Enstone was happy to bide his time aboard Patrick Haslam’s 8-1 chance and enjoyed a clear passage up the rail to deny Monsieur Reynard by a neck in the five-furlong dash.
Street Life, owned and trained by Willie Musson, flew late to claim the Weatherbys Printing Handicap at odds of 7-1, while Alan Munro dominated the final two races.
He guided top-weight Carlitos Spirit (7-1) to victory in the Weatherbys Finance Handicap, and completed his 21-1 double as Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Jaser obliged as the 7-4 favourite in the Weatherbys Messaging Service Handicap.
