Reverence rolls back the years
Reverence (5-1) earned a crack at the Prix de l’Abbaye when showing he was no back number at the age of eight with victory in the Grenzen Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.
Relishing the underfoot conditions, the eight-year-old was always travelling well and held fellow British raider Judge ’N Jury by a length.
“It’s great to see him back. The ground was a big help to us today,” said Preston trainer Eric Alston.
“We were going to run in the Nunthorpe but the ground was too fast and I’m glad we didn’t go there now.
“Willie (Supple) rides him well. He’ll go for the Abbaye now – I don’t think he will run again before that unless something came up in Ireland with the heavy ground. But I think we will go straight to the Abbaye.
“There’s no doubt he can still be competitive – it will probably be a bigger field but if he gets the soft ground he wants he can still do it.”
Termagant staked her claim for the stanjames.com 1000 Guineas with a shock victory in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Kevin Prendergast’s filly was taking a huge hike in class following her maiden success in June, but she stepped up to the mark in fine style and was given quotes varying from 10-1 to 20-1 for the Newmarket Classic in May.
Ridden by Declan McDonogh, the daughter of Powerscourt ranged alongside Famous inside the final quarter-mile and these two had the finish to themselves.
But it was Termagant who proved much the stronger as she pulled away to win by two and a half lengths from Aidan O’Brien’s 66-1 second string.
The O’Brien-trained odds-on favourite Lillie Langtry stayed on past beaten horses to take third place while Godolphin’s Long Lashes faded to finish a distant fourth after threatening briefly over a furlong out.
Prendergast said: “We were a little bit concerned about the ground, but she handled it well.
“She might not run again this season and she has done a good job. Our aim now will be to comeback here for the Irish 1000 Guineas.
“She has always shown us a great deal and the plan was always to come here after she won her debut at Leopardstown.”
Ladbrokes offer 20-1 the winner for the Newmarket Guineas and kept Lillie Langtry as 8-1 joint-favourite with the Luca Cumani-trained Seta, who is expected to return at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting with Kieren Fallon in the saddle.
Another youngster with possible Classic potential is Arctic, who stretched his unbeaten record to three with an impressive display in the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes.
The Tracey Collins-trained grey made light work of the testing conditions to slam the Aidan O’Brien-trained Air Chief Marshal by four and a half lengths.
Pat Shanahan always had the 11-8 favourite up with the lead on the outside and had the luxury of easing Arctic down close home with the Group Three prize easily won.
Collins said: “He’s entered everywhere and we’re not afraid to go anywhere after that performance. He’ll handle better ground but he’s effective on soft ground.
“He would have no problems going seven furlongs. He holds entries in England and in France and we will have to discuss plans with the owners.
“He’s a very smart horse and he’s improving, he’s a good colt. The winter can be a long time, but if he continues to improve the way he is he will be something to dream about.”
Chinese White also found the heavy ground no handicap as she followed up a recent Gowran Park success in the Dance Design Stakes.
Trainer Dermot Weld said: “She won as we expected her to, she did it well and she deserved her Group win. The most logical step would be to go for the Blandford Stakes here on (Irish) Leger weekend.”
