Spirits soar at Haydock
Fleeting Spirit will be prepared for a crack at the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot after setting a new course record in the betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock.
Jeremy Noseda’s speedball was taking on older horses for the first time and making her first appearance for 232 days.
Despite those two seemingly negative pieces of information, she was sent off a solid 7-2 chance and even a tardy start could not prevent her supporters collecting.
Flying up the middle of the course to lead 100 yards from home, she shot two lengths clear of Borderlescott in the manner of a really smart sprinter.
Noseda was far from surprised by the victory and said: “I did not have any doubts about coming here. I did not expect too much else other than winning, but it was the manner in which she did it.
“She has got a tremendous turn of foot and she gets six furlongs, but I am looking forward to the King’s Stand over five at Royal Ascot now.”
Another who could next be seen in action at the Royal meeting is Walter Swinburn’s Staying On, who put up a game performance under Adam Kirby to secure the ultra-valuable Betfred Silver Bowl at odds of 6-1.
Swinburn said: “He hated the ground. It was tight whether we would declare him and it was tight whether we would actually run.
“He is better with some ease in the ground and if conditions are suitable we might think about the Britannia at Royal Ascot.”
Obezyana landed odds of 10-1 in the Text Betfred To 83080 For Mobile Betting Handicap, after which winning trainer Alan Bailey said: “We have had all sorts of problems with this horse but we got 20-1 about him this morning so that helps!”
Timeform and Channel 4 Racing pundit Jim McGrath was present to see Castles In The Air, who he owns in partnership with former Timeform supremo Reg Griffin, run out a two-length winner of the Betfredbingo Handicap.
McGrath said: “At this time last year he was going to run at Royal Ascot!
“Paul (Eddery) said he wanted six furlongs and fast ground and he was right - the horse worked very well earlier in the week and we thought he would run well.”
Folk Opera followed up a recent win at York with success in the Listed Betfred EBF Joan Westbrook Pinnacle Stakes.
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said of the 2-1 favourite: “We have no plans at the moment but we will probably look for another Listed race or a Group Three.”
The William Haggas-trained Fyodor struck at 8-1 when securing his first win for over two years in the Betfredcasino Handicap.
Maureen Haggas, wife of William, said: “We have no plans at the moment but we will stick to five furlongs and the visor.
“The stiff six of the Wokingham at Royal Ascot might not be ideal.”
