Dapper looks particularly sharp at Newbury
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.
One chapter closes, another opens!
On the day we retire Buzz, how exciting to see DAPPER VALLEY win on debut at Newbury, showing loads of speed and giving us a lot to look forward to for the season ahead.
Fantastic start @rhannonracing @royalmarsden ⭐️
— ThurloeThoroughbreds (@ThurloeThbreds) April 21, 2023
“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.”
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?”
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 (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.”