Remarquee makes all the right moves in Fred Darling

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Ralph Beckett once again looks to have found a classy filly as Remarquee booked her ticket to the 1000 Guineas with a taking success in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury.

The Classic takes place in just over two weeks and Beckett will no doubt have left plenty to work on, which bodes especially well for her supporters having watched her take the trial better known as the Fred Darling.

Dropped out in the rear by Rob Hornby, the once-raced daughter of Kingman – from the family of Beckett’s Oaks winner Look Here – had plenty going on in front of her as Cheveley Park fourth Swingalong showed them all a clean pair of heels.

It was Hugo Palmer’s Stenton Glider who first broke rank to come out of the pack to chase, but Hornby could be spotted picking his way through stealthily.

Despite carrying her head high Remarquee (7-2) displayed a smart turn of foot to glide by Magical Sunset, with Hornby only needing hands and heels to ride her out for a neck success.

Paddy Power, Betfair and Coral were all impressed and cut the winner to 6-1 for Newmarket.

Beckett – winning the race for the fifth time – said: “It’s great – everything I’d hoped for and more. She was green and running away and Rob dropped his stick by the time she was running away from the crowd.

Remarquee with groom Charlotte White
Remarquee with groom Charlotte White (PA)

“Richard Hannon’s filly (Magical Sunset) leant on her a bit, so she had Kevin’s (Stott’s) stick in her face there for a couple of strides.

“She doesn’t know very much, but she will know more after today and we will certainly go to Newmarket.

“Her mother wanted fast ground and maybe she handles this ground, but I don’t see fast ground being a problem.

“I think she is very good and she has got to go there on the back of that.”

Remarquee looks very smart
Remarquee looks very smart (PA)

Hornby said: “She seems a good mover and she has a high head carriage, which is a bit like Kingman. They tend to be a bit like that, but it doesn’t stop her – she was still running true all the way to the line. It is probably what she finds comfortable.

“She will definitely stay further and while you don’t know until you’ve tried it, I’m sure she will act well on the course at Newmarket. This time of year is exciting, because at this time of year you are running horses in trials and even if they run well, you can still have hopes. So to go and win one like that is very exciting.

“She is a Classic filly. She is not short of speed and I think a mile will be right for her.”

Grand Alliance powers clear for deserved big-race prize

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Grand Alliance finally landed the prize his undoubted talent hinted he was capable of when causing an upset in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained four-year-old finished 11th in the Derby behind Desert Crown last year, and subsequently looked like winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot only to hang badly left and lose out in a photo.

Gelded last autumn, he shaped with promise when third to Max Vega in the St Simon Stakes and over the same course and distance in a Group Three registered as the John Porter he turned the form around with that rival in no uncertain terms.

Sent off an 18-1 chance under birthday boy James Doyle, Grand Alliance seemed to relish the soft ground and while the likes of Hurricane Lane and Mojo Star – first and second in the 2021 St Leger – were all at sea in the straight, the winner scooted clear.

There were still signs of his temperament, veering away sharply to his left inside the final furlong, but thankfully he had the race won by then.

The outsider of the field, Farhan, on just his second start for Phil Kirby, ran on to be second, beaten two and a quarter lengths.

Fellowes: “He has done that to a pretty decent field. I know that two outsiders finished first and second, but they were a good bunch and he has done it pretty handily in the end. I don’t think he was doing a huge amount out in front.

“I know he has a Yorkshire Cup entry, but James said afterwards he wouldn’t be jumping to step up further in trip, so I think I need to have a sit down and talk to the owner (Paul Roy) and make a plan.

“He was on and off the bridle, but that’s him. He has got a lot better than he was last year. He was particularly quirky last year and he’s settled down a lot.

“I’ve been delighted with him over the winter and, walking around the paddock, I thought he’d done really well physically. I don’t know why watching him go round with a saddle on made me see how well he had done, but he looked fantastic.

“I think he goes on any ground. It was rattling quick when he threw that race away at Ascot.”

Grand Alliance poses for the camera
Grand Alliance poses for the camera (PA)

Doyle added: “He was on and off the bridle, but that is always what he has done. He has always hinted he has been pretty good.

“Arguably he should have won at Royal Ascot last year, but he just hung across the track.

“He is very versatile ground-wise, it is amazing when you look at him – as he’s got such small feet – that he does go on this type of heavy ground.

“He does go on fast ground, so hopefully we can have a bit of fun with him.

“On better ground he could possibly go up to a Yorkshire Cup trip, but on testing ground like it is today, I think this trip is about right. It felt like a long last furlong.”

Moracana makes most of Cork opportunity

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Moracana came with a withering run to mow down Irish Lullaby and take the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Noblesse Stakes at Cork.

The five-year-old had plundered a valuable mile-and-five-furlong handicap at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend, but had been well held in two Listed races thereafter.

Sheila Lavery’s daughter of Elzaam was consequently sent off an unconsidered 22-1 chance in the mile-and-a-half Listed race, where the money was for the former David Menuisier-trained Ottilien, who was bought by American celebrity chef Bobby Flay after she finished third in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp in October.

Now in the hands of Joseph O’Brien, the evens favourite set out to make the pace as usual under Dylan Browne McMonagle, but she tired in the soft ground with a furlong to run.

The sectionals suited those who found cover and Robbie Colgan timed his run to perfection to score by half a length, with Annerville staying on for third.

Lavery could not hide der delight and said: “After she won a big handicap on Champions Weekend in Leopardstown, we thought she wanted soft ground, so were really looking forward to two late runs in Naas. But how wrong did I get that? She hated it.

“Robbie just said that she was so relaxed and knew, when he pulled her out, she would get there. That was a class ride.”

She added: “I had the grandmother, her mother and bred her, so and it is great for a filly to get black type – it is what you want. I sold her to Sue (Chadwick) after her run in Navan.

“She will stick to good ground now and quite often I jump up too quickly, so baby steps. She is so relaxed she could stay further and I’ll sit down and have a proper look at her upcoming races now.”

Lucinda Russell sights set on more National glory

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Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore will attempt to write another chapter in their incredible journey when they bid for a second Grand National in a week at Ayr on Saturday.

Having scored with One For Arthur in 2017, Corach Rambler gave trainer Russell and assistant and partner Scudamore a second success in the English version when justifying favouritism at Aintree last weekend.

Now the Arlary-based team look to Mighty Thunder and Your Own Story to add a few more lines into their remarkable story by securing a second Coral Scottish Grand National success in three years.

Mighty Thunder gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about when taking the four-mile event in 2021, but has not won in 10 subsequent outings and will start as one of the outsiders.

Your Own Story, however, ticks plenty of boxes, with four runner-up efforts and a victory at Wetherby – over a furlong shorter than he will face this time – in seven starts over fences.

Scudamore said: “Mighty Thunder is getting back to himself now – it has taken a while, but the ground will suit him.

“Your Own Story has the right profile to win the race – he’ll stay and has been running consistently well, and he’s a novice. That’s what wins the races.

“He was a bit unfortunate at Haydock last time (when beaten half a length). The trip (an extended three and a half miles) was too short for him and in another 100 yards, he probably would have won.”

Kitty’s Light will bid to go one better than last year at Ayr
Kitty’s Light will bid to go one better than last year at Ayr (Steven Paston/PA)

Last year, Christian Williams saddled a remarkable one-two in the Scottish National with the subsequently retired Win My Wings beating stablemate Kitty’s Light.

Kitty’s Light showed his well-being when taking the Eider at Newcastle in February, despite jumping without much fluency at times, and he will be joined by stablemate Cap Du Nord, who was beaten a length in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster before landing the valuable Swinley Handicap at Ascot.

Though well held in the Coral Trophy Handicap at Kempton on his last run, his Glamorgan-based handler feels he had excuses.

Williams said: “We’re looking forward to it after winning the race last year. The plan is to go back and win it again with Kitty’s – if his jumping holds up.

“If he jumped like he did at Newcastle, then he won’t be winning anything. We just have to hope that was the very soft ground that day.

“Hopefully he will stand up like last year and have a similar run to last year, and he should run well. The faster the ground, the better for him.

“Cap Du Nord only won a hundred-grand chase the time before at Ascot! We ran him back a bit quick at Kempton.

“We can never crack that Sky Bet Chase with him – he always runs well in it, but it always seems to be a prep for his next run – and it’s not a bad prep if you are winning races like that next time.”

Christian Williams bids for back-to-back Scottish Grand Nationals
Christian Williams bids for back-to-back Scottish Grand Nationals (Simon Marper/PA)

Sandy Thomson has endured a difficult week after Hill Sixteen’s fatal fall at Aintree.

The Berwickshire handler saddles both Empire Steel, who beat Coral Gold Cup Handicap winner Le Milos in the Premier Chase at Kelso last time, and Flower Of Scotland, third in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh on her penultimate start.

“Empire Steel did it nicely last time and 4lb extra is probably fair enough and he is in very good order,” said Thomson.

“It looks like there is going to be bit of rain on Saturday morning, and that will not do his chances any harm.

“The mare (Flower Of Scotland) is a few pounds out of the handicap and it is quite difficult to find races for her. Obviously Ray (Anderson Green, owner) has won the race twice before and we will just have a go and see.

“She will run a big race, but whether she is quite good enough, we will find out. ”

Nicholls feels Threeunderthrufive has plenty of weigh
Nicholls feels Threeunderthrufive has plenty of weight (Simon Marper/PA)

Paul Nicholls, who first landed the Grade Three prize in 1997 with Belmont King, seeks a fourth success in the race and relies upon Threeunderthrufive and Flash Collonges.

Threeunderthrufive has won four of his nine starts over fences but has been out of luck this term, while Flash Collonges has enjoyed a decent novice campaign, culminating in victory at Newbury on his previous start.

Nicholls said: “I’ve always thought novices have a good record in those races, so Flash Collonges will go for the big one.

“He’s from the family of Neptune Collonges, so he will stay forever and wants good ground, which he is likely to get. I’d give him a bit of a chance.

“I still think Threeunder is too high in the weights. With what he has achieved, I think he’s got 8lb too much. He will love the ground – he doesn’t want it too testing, ground that he’s been running on of late. He’s got a chance.”

Monbeg Genius, a close-up third to Corach Rambler in the Ultima, has obvious claims after a season which has brought three wins from five over fences.

Lord Accord was quietly fancied to run well at Cheltenham
Lord Accord was quietly fancied to run well at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)

Neil Mulholland wants better ground for Lord Accord than he got in the Kim Muir. He was pulled up, despite quietly fancied by connections in the run-up to that Cheltenham test.

“Things didn’t go according to plan in the Kim Muir. We fancied him to run a big race, but the rain came and turned the ground against him,” said Mulholland.

“He got bogged down and is a much better horse on good ground, which is what we hope he’ll get on Saturday.”

Derby trial next, as Military Order marches to impressive success

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Military Order – a full-brother to Derby and King George winner Adayar – entered the Epsom picture after making all the running to win the Darley Novice Stakes at Newbury.

Given the exploits of his elder sibling, Military Order was always going to have plenty to live up to – but just three runs into his career he is going the right way.

William Buick was allowed to set a steady pace in front on Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old, and he did not look too dissimilar to his brother when in full flight.

What was impressive, though, was the way the Frankel colt stretched clear of some potentially useful rivals with two furlongs to run.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Chesspiece, winner of his only start, and Exoplanet, trained by Roger Varian, attempted to give chase but it was soon apparent they were doing so in vain.

Without being put under undue pressure by William Buick, Military Order, the even-money favourite, beat Exoplanet by four lengths.

Paddy Power and Betfair cut the winner to 10-1 from 16-1 for the Betfred Derby.

Appleby said: “That was a very pleasing performance, as we know he’s got the pedigree to go and do something like that.

“Adayar won on soft ground as a two-year-old so while we felt he’d handle it I don’t think we’re going to see any horse at its best on it. But he handled it, and he handled it better than all of them.

“He stays well and we’ll look towards one of the trials now. Whether we go down the same route as his brother and maybe look towards Lingfield as that is a track which can teach them plenty, I don’t know.

“You’ve got all the rest of them like Chester and the Dante, but with a horse like him we might just go down the same route as his brother and we’ll have some nice conversations going forward.”

Gather Ye Rosebuds in full bloom for Jack Channon

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Jack Channon appears to have found a very smart prospect early in his fledgling training career in the shape of Gather Ye Rosebuds, who took apart what looked a decent field in the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newbury.

The daughter of Zoffany was sent off a relatively unconsidered 33-1 chance in a field of 16 that contained plenty of expensive purchases and blue-blooded newcomers.

But the writing was on the wall for plenty of them at halfway, as Connor Beasley cruised up into contention on Gather Ye Rosebuds.

Maman Joon, a 400,000 guineas buy for Amo Racing, and Hughie Morrison’s Mistral Star, from the family of Telecaster and second on her debut, were the only two still on the bridle with the eventual winner.

However, when Beasley asked his mount to go and win the race her response was immediate and she ploughed through the ground to beat Maman Joon by nine and a half lengths.

“She’s a very nice filly that has taken a long time to mature, and we know her family well,” said Channon of the half-sister to Certain Lad, a Group Three winner for his father, Mick.

“Mr (Paul) Shanahan and Mr (John) Magnier (owners) have shown a lot of patience with her, but she flourished in the last couple of weeks and was ready to run.

“She will handle any ground, she gets a mile and a quarter now and will stay a mile and a half in the future.

“I will talk to Mr Shanahan and Mr Magnier and we will look at something nice for her.”

He added: “Connor rode out this morning and everyone who comes and rides out for me will get opportunities.

“This is the best bunch of horses we’ve had in 10 years.”

Dettori eager to resume Chaldean partnership in Greenham

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Chaldean will attempt to follow in his sire’s illustrious footsteps and enhance his Classic credentials when he lines up in Saturday’s Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

The son of Frankel, whose triumph in the seven-furlong contest 12 years ago was a springboard to legendary status, was last season’s top-rated British juvenile after landing the Dewhurst and he begins his three-year-old campaign with a warning from connections that he will not be fully wound up for the Group Three contest.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt won his last four starts – all over the same distance – after a debut reverse over six furlongs at Newbury.

Frankie Dettori will partner the Juddmonte-owned Chaldean, who is no bigger than 5-1 for the 2000 Guineas on May 6, as the popular Italian seeks a Classic victory in his farewell season.

Dettori even cut short his successful winter in America to resume his partnership with the colt and the World Pool ambassador said: “I could have stayed in America for longer based on the backing I was getting, and I was enjoying it a lot, but I’ve got some nice horses to get back on in the UK, starting with Chaldean in the Greenham on Saturday.

“I didn’t want to let go of this one and I’m really looking forward to getting on him again.

“He was a very good two-year-old last year, winning the Dewhurst, which often proves to be the best race juvenile race of the season. Before that, he was a comfortable winner of the Champagne Stakes, and the second, Indestructible, came out and won the Craven this week.”

Chaldean will take on 10 rivals with the Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon viewing the race as a stepping stone, having not run since taking his Group One at Newmarket in early October.

“Like all of these trials, he’s not 100 per cent tuned up, but he’s fit and well and ready to run a good race and we will see where that takes us,” said Mahon.

“These trials are so tight, it’s only two weeks to the Guineas from Newbury, so you don’t want to go there 100 per cent and have a hard race and leave your Guineas behind.

“He’ll be 85/90 per cent and in good form, and as long as he runs a race with promise, no matter where he finishes, it will build us into the Guineas in two weeks time.”

Chaldean’s dam, Suelita, is by Dutch Art, who won both the Prix Morny and Middle Park over six furlongs and was third in the Guineas when stepped up to a mile, a distance he never won over.

Asked if there were any doubts about staying a mile in the Guineas, Mahon added: “With his run style you would say no, but there is a lot of speed in his dam’s side.

“The dam is all five and six (furlongs) and there is very little seven in it.

“Frankel, we know, is a mile and 10-furlong (horse) and his progeny tend to stay, so we’re very hopeful he would get a mile, but I wouldn’t like to say it’s a foregone conclusion either.”

Zoology, owned by Qatar Racing and trained by James Ferguson, has fitness on his side.

A son of Zoustar, he won his maiden at Yarmouth impressively before finishing over 10 lengths adrift of Blackbeard in the Middle Park.

Yet he showed his well-being with a neck success over the Juddmonte-owned Covey upon his return at Southwell earlier this month, form that looked strong when the runner-up scored by four lengths in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday.

James Ferguson has high hopes for Zoology
James Ferguson has high hopes for Zoology (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ferguson said: “He’s in great form, I’m really happy with him. He did a nice piece of work the other day and has come out of Southwell in great order.

“The form was massively franked with Covey winning at Newmarket. We obviously beat him with a 7lb penalty and I know that horse was first time out, but a 7lb penalty is enough.

“It’s obviously a massive step up, but I really hope for Sheikh Fahad and everybody he can go and run really well.”

Theoryofeverything heads into deeper waters for his second start, having won a seven-furlong Doncaster novice by six lengths three weeks ago.

Another son of Frankel, he is owned by Prince Faisal and trained by John and Thady Gosden, and holds an entry in the Dante.

“He won well on debut at Doncaster at the start of the season. He is a smartly-bred colt so we decided he should take his chance in a very competitive race,” said Thady Gosden.

“It is as strong a Greenham as we have seen for a while with plenty of smart horses in there and obviously it will be only his second run of his life.

“He is coming up against some much more experienced colts. It is a big step up from a maiden novice on soft ground.

“They’re forecast a little bit of rain on Friday night into Saturday morning and it is probably holding ground at the moment after a couple of drying days.

“He is a good-moving colt who obviously handled deep ground at Doncaster and he’ll handle the ground at Newbury.”

Eve Johnson Houghton saddles Streets Of Gold, who is unbeaten in five starts, having signed off his juvenile season with success in a valuable seven-furlong contest at York in October.

“He is really well, he has wintered well so I’m very happy with him,” said the trainer.

“He’s not the biggest horse and he hasn’t grown, but he’s filled out and muscled up. He seems in great form.

Streets of Gold took the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at the Curragh in September
Streets of Gold took the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at the Curragh in September (Donnall Farmer/PA)

“He has never been a flashy work horse, but he’s been working much better this year. It’s no easy feat to win five on the bounce, he just kept rolling and getting better and better.

“It’s a great starting point for him. I love Newbury as a racecourse, it is just down the road from us.

“If Streets of Gold wins the Greenham or runs well in the Greenham, he will be heading for the English 2000 Guineas. I would be very confident that he would handle the undulations at Newmarket and I have no concerns with trip.”

By Dark Angel, Charyn won two of his four starts as a juvenile for Roger Varian, including the Group Two Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly in October.

Varian said: “He’s a nice colt. He has only got four runs under his belt but has some very good form.

“He was good in his novices and then ran a nice race behind Sakheer in the Mill Reef where I felt he was still learning his trade, but he showed a good level in winning the Group Two at Chantilly in October.

Roger Varian wants to find out more about Charyn
Roger Varian wants to find out more about Charyn (Mike Egerton/PA

“He’s a pretty solid horse who shouldn’t mind the forecast cut in the ground.

“It is likely to be a strong Greenham but he is a colt we like and how he performs will give us a bit of a steer as to where we go with him. But he’s training nicely, looks the part and we’re looking forward to running him.”

Ralph Beckett is responsible for Greys Monument, who was runner-up to Knight – who re-opposes – in the Horris Hill over course and distance when last seen.

Beckett said: “He will need the run and this is on the sharp side for him.”

Dapper looks particularly sharp at Newbury

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Dapper Valley posted an impressive debut performance as he triumphed in style in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury.

The Dandy Man colt was introduced into the betting for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot at 16-1 given Pat Dobbs did not need to get too serious in winning by two and a quarter lengths at 11-2.

It was a timely success for his syndicate of owners, Thurloe Thoroughbreds, given just a few hours earlier they had announced the retirement of their Cesarewitch and Grade Two-winning hurdler, Buzz.

“He’s always been a nice colt but we were in two minds whether to run him on that (soft) ground,” said Hannon.

“I love the way he travelled. He has a lovely temperament and took it all in his stride.

“I’d say he’s a pretty useful two-year-old and I hope he’s a Royal Ascot horse.

“He’ll need another run before then, which could be back here at the Lockinge meeting.”

Scholarship returns under Tom Marquand
Scholarship returns under Tom Marquand (PA)

Clive Cox’s Scholarship got his career back on track when just getting the better of the Hannon-trained Hectic in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap.

A debut winner last year, he struggled in the Coventry Stakes before being unsighted at York but showed a good attitude under Tom Marquand to win by a neck at 9-1.

“The Coventry came too soon for him last year, we have gelded him and given him time,” said Jake Warren, racing manager for owner Isa Salman Al Khalifa.

“It looks like we can move to the next stage of his career now. He’s a big, powerful horse who will head to Ascot – it’s a question of will he stay the mile or do we stay at seven furlongs?”

Fakhama and Jim Crowley
Fakhama and Jim Crowley (PA)

William Haggas and Jim Crowley were out of luck with Tafreej who could manage only third behind Scholarship but they would have been pleased with the winning debut of Fakhama (16-5) in the first division of the seven-furlong fillies’ maiden.

The daughter of Kingman is a half-sister to the Haggas-trained Mujtaba, winner of five of his eight races earning a rating of 114.

She pulled away nicely to win in the manner of an above-average filly.

Haggas’ wife and assistant Maureen said: “You can’t ask for much more, it was a nice introduction. The ground wasn’t ideal, though her brother liked it. She’s a May foal and very immature.”

Angus Gold, racing manager for owners, Shadwell, added: “We won’t be in any hurry with her, she’s quite a big girl.”

The second division went to Henry Candy’s Araminta, quietly backed throughout the day into 17-2.

A daughter of the smart sprinter Mince, Dane O’Neill always looked confident and she picked up long-time leader Kokomo with ease to win by three and a half lengths.

Novel Legend with winning connections

Novel Legend with winning connections (PA)

James Fanshawe’s Novel Legend (11-5 favourite) looked well ahead of the handicapper when winning the Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd Silver Bar Handicap by six lengths.

The problem his connections might have is that while he is entered in the Chester Cup, he will only pick up 3lb penalty for this success, which still leaves him needing plenty to come out.

Winning rider Danny Muscutt said: “He’d gone forward since Kempton and I was very pleased with the way he raced behind the bridle.

“From four out I was looking for something to take me as far as I needed.”

Hurricane Lane hits comeback trail at Newbury

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Charlie Appleby is banking on Hurricane Lane returning to something like the form he showed as a three-year-old on his return to action in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.

Winner of the Irish Derby and St Leger in 2021 when he also finished a close third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, last season was something of a write-off.

Beaten at odds-on twice, in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, he was one horse certainly not suited by the heatwave given his liking for softer ground.

With Newbury set to be pretty testing this weekend, Appleby is happy to start a campaign which he once more hopes will culminate in Paris in October.

Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick celebrate winning the St Leger with Hurricane Lane
Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick celebrate winning the St Leger with Hurricane Lane (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He has been a grand horse for Godolphin, and we feel he should be able to pick up another major prize this year,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“With his programme, we are working back from the Arc, that’s our main aim. He revels in soft ground and there is a good chance he could get those conditions at Longchamp in October.

“You cannot fault the horse at home. He retains all his old zest and he looks great. We will know early in his five-year-old campaign whether or not the Arc is a realistic target.”

Max Vega won the race 12 months ago for Ralph Beckett and he is back to defend his title, along with a new stablemate, Lone Eagle.

“Both he and Lone Eagle are going to find it tough if the real Hurricane Lane is going to turn up. But he should run his race as normal. He is in good shape,” said Beckett.

There was not much between Lone Eagle (left) and Hurricane Lane in the Irish Derby of 2021
There was not much between Lone Eagle (left) and Hurricane Lane in the Irish Derby of 2021 (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Lone Eagle was a classy three-year-old himself and made Hurricane Lane pull out all the stops in the Irish Derby when trained by Martyn Meade.

He is now part-owned by Marc Chan, meaning Frankie Dettori takes the ride. Beckett also runs the fancied Jimmi Hendrix in the BetGoodwin Spring Cup and both are sporting blinkers for the first time.

Beckett said: “Lone Eagle is new to us and I think the first-time headgear will be of some benefit, and likewise Jimi Hendrix on a comeback mission in the Spring Cup – the headgear there, I think we should have pulled the trigger earlier, but that’s down to his trainer!”

Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star is undoubtedly talented, as he showed when finishing second in both the Derby and St Leger at three.

He only made it to the track once last season but it was another massive effort as he was second to Kyprios in the Gold Cup at Ascot, beaten just half a length.

“He has always been a very good colt but has had a few niggly issues which have kept him off the track and hasn’t run since putting up a brilliant effort when second in the Gold Cup,” Hannon told Unibet.

“He’s done plenty of work and been away to gallop so should be pretty straight. But this is his first run in a while, so he’s entitled to improve for it and we’re working back from the Ascot Gold Cup. I’m very happy with him and while the trip is on the short side, this is a good place to kick off his season.”

Mojo Star was a fine second to Kyprios at Ascot
Mojo Star was a fine second to Kyprios at Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Another who will not be inconvenienced by the ground is Surrey Mist, who has the benefit of already having had a run this season when fourth in a French Group Three.

Clive Hadingham of owners Surrey Racing said: “We could do with a bit more rain, which will hopefully test the fitness of the main protagonists as we already have one run under our belt this season.

“Having said that, it’s a very competitive race – we may have to get creative with our tactics!”

In-form Amo team mount dual assault on Fred Darling prize

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Olivia Maralda and Magical Sunset will try to keep up the momentum of Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing as they line up in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

From 20 runners, the purple colours have been carried to success on seven occasions in the last 14 days, victories that have included Mammas Girl in the Nell Gwyn and Indestructible in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

In what appears to be a hugely competitive, yet open renewal of the seven-furlong Group Three contest more familiar as the Fred Darling, Magical Sunset and Olivia Maralda both appear to have plenty going for them.

Magical Sunset, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Kevin Stott, won three of her five races last season, signing off with victory over course and distance.

Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing manager, said: “To beat Sakheer on debut on quick ground at Windsor was impressive and she was a bit unlucky not to win the Goffs Million at the Curragh, she suffered some really bad interference at halfway.

“To then have the guts to run on and finish fourth, we were delighted with that.

“She obviously came back and won well at Leicester under James Doyle and then backed it up with the good win in the Radley Stakes at Newbury.

“We thought she would run well at Newbury but we didn’t think she would win by five lengths, so we were delighted by that.

“Richard is very happy with her and she has been showing him all the right signs at home.”

The Roger Varian-trained Olivia Maralda is drawn one, next to her stablemate. It will be her first run for the yard, having earned one win and three runner-up berths in five outings for Michael O’Callaghan last season.

Her sole success came in a maiden over course and distance before she was touched off by Meditate in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in September.

She was last seen finishing ninth of 14 to Commissioning in the Rockfel at Newmarket in September and makes her three-year-old debut against 13 rivals.

Pennington added: “I thought she was going to win the Debutante Stakes. She was sort of the last filly off the bridle and travelled into it very well.

“Then it was perhaps a bridge too far at Newmarket – she was just beginning to turn in her coat and it was probably just one race too many, she was over the top.

“Roger is very happy with her which is the main thing and she hasn’t missed a day this spring.”

Remarquee/Salisbury
Remarquee looked smart on debut at Salisbury (Simon Milham/PA)

Two fillies, who have each won their sole start, head the market.

Ralph Beckett’s Remarquee, a daughter of Kingman, took a seven-furlong Salisbury novice in fine style from Bresson last September, while Godolphin’s Bridestones, by Teofilo, scored with ease on her Yarmouth debut for John and Thady Gosden in October.

Beckett said: “She has done well this winter. She will need the run, but she is training well.”

Thady Gosden hopes Bridestones will continue the yard’s excellent form as she drops back a furlong.

He said: “She is a nicely-bred filly and has done well over the winter. It is a hugely competitive race, but we are looking forward to it. We will learn a bit more about her, I’m sure.”

Karl Burke, fresh from his Craven success with the Amo-owned Indestructible, saddles Swingalong, who won the Lowther at York in August before finishing four lengths behind Lezoo in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket on her last juvenile run.

Swingalong took York's Lowther and steps up to seven furlongs at Newbury
Swingalong took York’s Lowther and steps up to seven furlongs at Newbury (Mike Egerton/PA)

“She is in great form and has been training very well,” said Burke of the Showcasing filly, who steps up to seven furlongs for the first time.

“I’m confident she’ll stay the seven and we’ll make the decision about the mile after that.

“It is a competitive race, no doubt about it. There looks to be some very nice fillies in it, so it is going to be tough, but she is in good form.

“She’s matured really well and wintered very well and she looks great.”