Tag Archive for: Rob Hornby

One For Bobby swoops for success in Nottingham feature

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There were famous colours in the winner’s enclosure at Nottingham after One For Bobby landed a telling blow for Hughie Morrison in the British EBF Nottinghamshire Oaks.

The daughter of Frankel, who placed in Group Two company when trained by Johnny Murtagh last term, was adorned in the colours seen to great effect by Frank Dunne – the only Irish trainer to win the Japan Cup, having done so in 1983 with dual Royal Ascot scorer Stanerra.

Dunne died in December last year aged 79, but his legacy has been kept going by his surviving partner Ann Marshall and One For Bobby did the silks justice at Colwick Park.

Making her debut for Morrison, she was sent off 17-2 under a chance spare ride for Rob Hornby and thrived in the soft ground at the East Midlands track to hunt down the front-running Pink Carnation and record a one-length success.

“She has never put a foot wrong at home,” said Morrison. “She came in looking well and she has worked well and when she was 16-1 when we left home this morning I was amazed because we fancied her.

“It read like a decent race and I thought she would like the ground, that helps. We had worked out at home she likes the ground and she is in good form. She has been working with a good filly.

“It’s very competitive in Ireland and Ann Marshall who bred her thought there might be plenty of opportunities here so this is target one hit.”

Future plans for One For Bobby remain fluid, but the Summerdown Stables handler did not rule out raiding missions to France later in the year, while he also feels she is capable of stepping up in distance.

“I think she will stay further, I think she will get a mile and a half,” Morrison added.

“She’s done a lot of running on fast ground last year and I think some cut just suits.

“This was the main plan for her, but we’ll have a look and see if there are some fillies pattern races which could suit. I think we’ll give her the jabs needed for her to go to France.

One For Bobby arrives back after winning the Nottinghamshire Oaks
One For Bobby arrives back after winning the Nottinghamshire Oaks (PA)

“She carries some very famous colours of the late Frank Dunne, who sadly died last year. His partner (Ann Marshall) has carried it all on, so it’s lovely.”

Hornby said:  “I didn’t know a lot about her, I don’t think many did with her coming over from Ireland. She seems very uncomplicated and enjoyed the conditions.

“I wasn’t worried about Danny (Tudhope on Pink Carnation), Hughie was confident she would stay further and it’s quite testing ground. It was nice to have a target to aim at and she stays.”

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.”