Ward shows Classic style
Statistics are against Kempton’s oddschecker.com Easter Stakes as a Classic trial but no criticism could be attached to the performance of this year’s winner Il Warrd.
The Listed mile event did produce the 2000 Guineas runner-up Rebel Rebel three years ago but has a largely undistinguished roll of honour and just two of the starters held entries at Newmarket next month.
Thankfully Il Warrd was one and given the high position he takes in the pecking order at Marcus Tregoning’s yard, it was heartening to see the Pivotal colt (13-2) draw four and a half lengths clear under Martin Dwyer.
Totesport even slashed his Guineas odds to 25-1 from 66s, with William Hill and VCBet going 33-1.
“I think that looked a pretty good race for its standard,” said Tregoning.
“He was my best two-year-old and probably my best three-year-old. We ran him against Rio De La Plata in the Vintage Stakes (when sixth).
“While the winner was very good, we felt the ground might have been a bit too quick and the run was slightly too bad to be true.
“He’s really come to himself in the last few days. Where we go now, however, will have to be discussed with the management. We will see what happens in the rest of the trials.”
Gaspar Van Wittel was second, with 7-4 favourite Latin Lad third.
The latter’s trainer Richard Hannon said: “I’d say that winner was a very good horse and would have a decent chance if he ran in the Guineas.”
The fillies’ event, the oddschecker.com Masaka Stakes, went the way of the red-hot Paul Cole and his representative Jazz Jam (5-1), who capably held off the fast-finishing Comeback Queen by half a length.
“It’s just the way the cookie crumbles,” reflected Cole on his seventh victory this fortnight.
“She’s a tough little filly and the owner is a breeder so this is a good show all-round. The Italian 1000 Guineas would be a possibility.”
Dwyer, on Comeback Queen, was given a three-day ban for careless riding (April 26-28).
Sir Michael Stoute got off the mark for the new season in the Compare Odds At oddschecker.com Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes as Heaven Sent (4-6 favourite) looked every inch another of the trainer’s typically progressive mares.
Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “She was a little unlucky last year but now we might look at the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket next month then the Princess Elizabeth at Epsom. Her sister (Megahertz) kept improving with age too.”
Winning rider Ryan Moore was later seen getting up late on Jeremy Noseda’s Meydan Princess (5-1) in the oddschecker.com – The Odds Comparison Site Handicap for a 9-1 double.
Owner’s representative Matt Coleman reported: “Ryan reckoned she had no right to win from the position she was in and probably had a stone in hand.”
Richard Hughes was on treble form at odds of 2401/2-1, two of which came for Hannon.
Vitznau (3-1 favourite) was making amends for a lacklustre placing in the Lincoln by taking the oddschecker.com Casino And Poker Handicap.
“He got in an argy-bargy match that day and there was no life in the ground for him,” said trainer Hannon.
“He needs a good pace and over seven furlongs I’d say he’s not far off Listed level. If there’s an offer, I’d sell him to the US.”
Cape Hawk (15-8 favourite) followed him in as a well-backed winner of the Compare Poker/Casino Rooms At Oddschecker.com Handicap, while Hughes turned to Jim Old’s Gala Evening (20-1) in the Find The Best Odds At oddschecker.com Handicap.
