CHESTER REPORT:MARK TOMPKINS unveiled the horse he believes has the potential to provide him with a second Classic success as Ted Spread battled his way to victory in the Chester Vase on the Roodee yesterday
And although trimmed in the ante-post markets to around the 33 to 1 mark for the Investec Derby, it is the St Leger which is foremost in the Tompkins’ mind.
The Newmarket trainer struck in the world’s oldest Classic 17 years ago with Bob’s Return and is inclined to try and pull off the same Chester-Doncaster double achieved by Millenary at the turn of the century.
Darryll Holland struck for home off the final bend and despite being taken on by Icon Dream, the 8 to 1 chance came again for a head success.
Tompkins said: “Darryll had to wind him up, but he stayed on well on the ground. We instilled in Darryll that he would stay. He’s in the Derby and I suppose we’ll go there if the ground is right, but he wouldn’t want it too firm and longer term we’ll go down the St Leger route as he should stay that far.
“That was a good experience for him around the turns, he had to battle a bit and it will have done him good.”
William Buick followed up his Chester Oaks success and nailed his third winner of the meeting as he produced John Gosden’s Debussy for a two-length triumph in the Betfair Huxley Stakes.
The 11 to 1 chance was the only runner to get competitive with the front-running Les Fazzani as big names South Easter, Redwood and Stotsfold failed to land a blow.
Buick said: “I wanted to jump and make the running but Paul Hanagan went on and I was happy to sit behind.
“Turning in I always felt he would win so long as nothing came from the clouds.
“Things are going well and I am very happy. There are plenty of nice horses to look forward to riding.”
Buick did not have to wait long for win number four either as Windsor second Dress Up marked herself out as a speedy filly on the rise with her dashing 9 to 2 success in the Abode Hotel EBF Maiden.
Eddie Stobart chief executive Andrew Tinkler invested heavily at the Newmarket sales last autumn and enjoyed a return on his outlay as 110,000 guineas purchase Sweet Lightning (13 to 2) struck first time out in the Cordjia Renaissance Handicap.
Trainer Michael Dods said: “He’s in at York next week but probably won’t run and the plan is the Zetland Gold Cup and then the John Smith’s Cup.”
Trainer Michael Bell said: “That is amazing for Gilly (Rowland-Clark, owner) who has been a loyal supporter of the stable and that is her 50th winner.”
Mick Kinane is hoping he can help drum up further interest in the Irish Flat scene after being named Horse Racing Ireland’s Flat Ambassador for 2010. The Co Tipperary-born jockey hung up his riding boots at the end of last season after a career in the saddle spanning 35 years.
Kinane remains the only jockey who can claim wins in all the major European Group One races and can also boast victories in events such as the Belmont Stakes, the Japan Cup, the Hong Kong Cup and the Melbourne Cup.
The 50-year-old decided to go out on a high at the end of 2009 after he partnered wonder horse Sea The Stars to a remarkable six Group One wins in as many months — and is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to promote the sport he loves so much.
“It was just nice to be asked to be the ambassador for Flat racing in Ireland. Racing has been part of my life for 25 years and it’s nice that I can give something back,” said Kinane.
“Hopefully we can convince people that we have a great sport on offer here and there’s a great social scene involved with it.”
National Hunt racing has very much taken the limelight in Ireland down the years, with the likes of Arkle, Istabraq and Moscow Flyer capturing the public’s imagination more than the bluebloods of the Flat.
