IN recent years, finding a cheaply-bought horse with winning form has proved a reliable approach to the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury. It certainly worked on Saturday as the unbeaten Mrs Danvers, a grey filly by Hellvelyn, carried just 8st, the joint-bottom weight, to victory over Stormy Clouds and Clem Fandango.

Trained by Jonathan Portman and ridden by Luke Morris, Mrs Danvers, 9/2 joint-favourite, was never far off the pace and picked up 50/1 chance Diable D’or with just over a furlong to go. Never seriously threatened thereafter, she strode out well to score by just over a length with Clem Fandango a similar distance away.

Mrs Danvers had won twice on the soft but the much faster ground did not trouble her at all. Leased by Portman from breeders Mark Burton and Connie Hopper, she was earning £122,925 for Turf Club 2014, a multi-member syndicate fronted by former Ascot clerk of the course Nick Cheyne.

“When I went to see the horse as a yearling at the breaking yard I thought that’s just the sort of filly I’d like for the Super Sprint, so it’s nice I’ve got a good eye!” Portman smiled. “She’s so professional and was not fazed by having horses around her. The Molecomb at Goodwood is a possibility but I’d say the Listed St Hugh’s Stakes back here is more likely.’’

Confirming that Mrs Danvers is best at five furlongs, Morris added that she should be able to register some blacktype. This season the jockey has quietly put to bed the notion that he is an all-weather specialist.

ryan clarke

Weights in the Super Sprint are geared towards purchase price, which worked very much in the winning connections’ favour but hardly helped Ryan Clarke, who was on board for her first two successes. Clark said he would have forced himself down to 8st but he generally rides at around 8st 6lb and Portman did not want him taking risks with his health.

The blinkers worked on Richard Hannon’s Stormy Clouds, who ran well to be second after suffering minor interference. Remarkably, the yard had only one runner in a race it has won eight times.

These days Richard Fahey saddles just as many, if not more, but the best his seven representatives could manage was the ninth place secured by Six Strings.