Newmarket Saturday

Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1)

FRANKIE Dettori produced another career landmark as Inspiral became his 500th winner at Newmarket in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly, who was sent off the 10/11 favourite, was given a canny ride by the retiring Italian to get the better of market rival Mqse de Sevigne (Andre Fabre/Alexis Pouchin) by a comfortable three and three-quarter length margin, with Heredia (Richard Hannon/Sean Levey) three-quarters of a length further away in third.

This was a fifth Group 1 success for Inspiral having captured the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August. She has had a couple of off days in her career, largely on soft ground, but her overall record marks her down as one of the very best racemares of recent years.

Dettori settled Inspiral in midfield initially, but with the early pace on the slow side, he decided to make an early move, and Inspiral hit the front with almost three furlongs left, with Mqse de Sevigne’s rider failing to respond in time and soon finding himself three lengths in arrears on a filly better known for her efforts over 10 furlongs. By the time Pouchin had set his mount in pursuit, the race was as good as over.

Superstar horse

Dettori said: “She showed the world today what a superstar horse she is. She gave me a nightmare ride in France, but today she was good.

“I was quite worried when she was so quiet as when they are quiet it is maybe because they are over the top or maybe they are in season, but that wasn’t the case. She was quiet because she was having a good day.

“When I got to 499 last week, I thought at least I’ve got Inspiral to look forward to as I know she will be thereabouts. I didn’t know until last week when Amy Starkey told me I was so close.

“It has been my home for 38 years, so it is fantastic to be able to do it in a Group 1 on a special filly. I couldn’t have written a better ending.

“I woke up this morning with a knot in my stomach. I didn’t feel myself. I felt nervous, sad, and emotional, but at least I’ve got it done now. I’ve got two weeks left. It is getting close and I’m getting so many best wishes, but I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t like this.

Everywhere I’ve been they have been incredible, and I don’t think it will be any different on my last day at Ascot. I’m allowed to cry that day, but I’ve tried to keep it together today.”

“He is doing it cleverly,” said John Gosden of Dettori’s retirement. “He is not just stopping cold; he is bringing it down gently. He will be riding in Japan, Hong Kong, California, the Middle East in the winter. Where there are big races, he will pop up.” Dettori said Thursday he would continue riding in USA next year.

Ascot Saturday

ANNAF (Mick Appleby/Rossa Ryan) built on the promise of his Portland Handicap success when scoring a first pattern success in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot.

The four-year-old son of Muhaarar got up in the dying strides to deny Commanche Falls (Michael Dods/Connor Beasley) by a short head, with the pair a length ahead of Pink Crystal (William Haggas/Tom Marquand).

Annaf had shown his liking for Ascot when third in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and was gaining an initial turf success when beating Significantly in the Portland at Doncaster on his penultimate outing; the 5/2 favourite progressed a little further to gain winning blacktype here, the recipient of a well-judged ride by Ryan who produced him with a sustained run to challenge Commanche Falls, and the line came just too late for the gallant runner-up.

“It was a great run, and he just keeps improving,” said Appleby. “He’s been so consistent this year and I just hope he’s got some more improvement to come. Rossa gets on so well with him and knows how to ride him. They get on really well together.

“Whether that will be it for the year now, I’m not sure. There are a couple of more races for him, but we’ll speak with the owners and decide what to do. We could possibly go to the Kachy Stakes again at Lingfield, but we’ll give him a break at some point.”

Cumberland Lodge Stakes

Al Qareem (Karl Burke/Clifford Lee) rallied gamely when headed to win a listed race at Chester on his belated return to domestic action last month, and the four-year-old did exactly the same to double his seasonal tally in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes, beating Israr (John and Thady Gosden/Benoit de La Sayette) by three-quarters of a length after the latter had surged to the front in the straight to look all over the winner.

Genuine and progressive when stepped up to staying trips last term, Al Qareem had a fruitless venture to the Middle East at the start of the year and was sensibly given a lengthy break after running down the field behind Broome in the Dubai Gold Cup.

Happier

He looked a lot happier back on easy ground at Chester and built on that game win over Irish Oaks runner-up Bluestocking to gain the second group win of his career.

The 10/3 chance was headed by Israr with a quarter of a mile to run, but as the latter hung fire in front, Al Qareem dug deep into his stamina reserves, and regained the lead in the final 50 yards.

“We’re delighted to see him win again,” said syndicate leader Nick Bradley. “I think we got it tactically spot on when Cliff sat second.

“When he’s led before he has been a bit free, so I think Claymore going on has helped us and made it a stamina test.

“The other horse passed us showing more speed, but then stamina kicked in and as soon as I saw Israr not go away I thought Al Qareem would come back based on what he did at Chester.

“We are probably running him over his minimum trip at the moment. I’m delighted for all his owners; he’s just a tough, hardy stayer.”

Al Qareem won the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay over a mile and seven furlongs at ParisLongchamp last autumn before tackling the Prix Royal Oak, and he will either have another crack at that Group 1 contest, or head to the St Simon Stakes at Newbury in a fortnight.

JOHN McConnell’s British raids paid fruit again at Ludlow on Wednesday when he landed a double. Rexem (6/5 favourite) made all under Ben Harvey and held on by a neck in the two and a half mile novices handicap chase picking up £7,921.50

In the following novices’ hurdle over two and five furlongs Lisnamult Lad (8/13 favourite) also made most and was four lengths ahead at the last, before going on to win comfortably by seven and a half lengths.