Angel's swoops for Kempton gold
A hastily-arranged Class Two handicap at Kempton is not the sort of race Angel’s Pursuit is accustomed to competing in, but the chestnut’s class came to the fore in the day’s feature.
Since making a winning debut at Newmarket in May 2009, Angel’s Pursuit had rarely been campaigned below stakes level, finishing second to subsequent Middle Park winner Awzaan in the Mill Reef and reappearing at three to take the Listed Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury.
But his form had started to tail off and Richard Hannon took the decision to step up to seven furlongs and pitch the son of Pastoral Pursuits into the William Hill – The Home Of Betting Handicap from top-weight.
Aware of a potential stamina doubt, Jimmy Fortune allowed others to have their shot at glory first before he nudged the 12-1 shot home a head in front.
“I wanted to leave it late to get there as he only really has one burst,” said Fortune.
“I didn’t want to use him up and put a gun to his head as he was stepping up to seven from six furlongs, but he has done it well.”
Ralph Beckett and Cast Of Stars are to go their separate ways from now on and parted on a winning note after the 6-4 favourite took the Best Odds Guaranteed At mobile.williamhill.com Maiden Stakes under a typically cool George Baker.
“He is off to Evan Williams now, as the owner has hurdlers with him,” said Beckett, who is about to relocate from Whitsbury to stables in Kimpton, Andover.
“That could well be our last runner from Whitsbury as we start to move the horses on Monday,” added the Classic-winning trainer.
Top all-weather jockey Baker made it two aboard Amazon Twilight (7-2) in the williamhill.com Nursery.
The William Haggas-trained Swift Breeze (11-2) struck on her racecourse bow in the williamhill.com Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – but she was given a helping hand by 5-4 favourite Palais Glide, whose reluctance allowed her rival a second chance.
“I thought I had every chance turning in and in the last half furlong she’s picked up well and stayed on all the way to the line,” jockey Liam Jones reflected.
“Our horses usually come on for a run and I wasn’t hard on her – I only gave her one flick.”
Owner Evan Sutherland professed to being taken aback by the well-backed success of Pittodrie Star, who was shortened from 13-2 to 4-1 in the Best Odds Guaranteed At mobile.williamhill.com Handicap.
“He always seems to be gambled – maybe it’s the Aberdeen fans!” said Sutherland, who spent many years as a student in the Scottish city and was referring to the horse’s name, which derives from the football club’s home ground.
“Although he’s by Choisir, he has a lot of stamina on the dam’s side and I always thought he wanted more of a trip.”
Fantasy Gladiator (9-4 favourite) rarely finishes out of the frame but has only recently rediscovered the winning habit and backed up victory at the course 10 days earlier in the williamhill.com Handicap, quickening well clear under a confident Jimmy Quinn.
Tony Blewitt, racing manager for owners The Fantasy Fellowship said: “It’s nice to have a winner on Channel 4 – particularly as (bookmaker) Barry Dennis said he wouldn’t stay a mile on the Morning Line programme this morning.
“We felt he was staying on at the end of his races and we now know seven furlongs or a mile on the all-weather is what he wants.
“He’ll keep going until the end of the calendar year.”
