Kempton Saturday

THE Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton last Saturday went for export as the Joseph O’Brien-trained Adelaise (William Buick) score in a narrow finish over favourite Choisya (Simon and Ed Crisford/Harry Davies), who briefly got to the lead having come from off the pace. However, the winner rallied gamely having been prominent throughout in a race run at a modest tempo.

The winner attracted support in the morning and was returned the second pick at 10/3.

The Rosebery Stakes was once one of the biggest handicaps of the spring but has lost that big profile, as has the Queen’s Prize, but both looked competitive races on paper and the former went to 25/1 outsider Cemhaan, who broke well from the stalls and was always in the front rank, winning by three-quarters of a length from Killybegs Warrior.

The two mile Queen’s Prize saw Sweet Fancy and Duty Of Care build a cushion over the field in the early part of the race and while the former dropped away from the home turn, Duty of Care kept on stoutly to improve on his second place in this race a year ago, beating 2021 winner Sleeping Lion by two and three-quarter lengths.

He was full value for that at a track he clearly relishes, his record over course and distance now reading 112021.

Rest of the card

It was a good day for the boys in blue at Kempton with Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) kicking things off by justifying odds of 4/7 in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily British EBF Conditions Stakes.

Ridden patiently by Buick, Notable Speech showed an impressive burst of speed to pass the well-regarded Valvano (Ralph Beckett/Hector Crouch) to win by a comfortable two lengths.

The Dubawi colt was trimmed to 14/1 in a place for the 2000 Guineas, and his rider didn’t consider that an over-reaction.

Buick said: “He’s shown the last twice here he can do that and it was a really good performance and he deserves to go up in grade now. Today was a warm race with a few unexposed types and he gave away weight to all of them, so I’m delighted.

“I was very pleased with how he has done physically since the last time I rode him – he has really filled out and I feel like he has grown a bit as well, which is always nice to see from a horse who has had two runs.

“I couldn’t be more happy with him and I tested him a little bit today and he quickened up in a stride. I just had to pick a path and he’s such a genuine, easy horse to deal with. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.

“It was a nice opportunity for him to come here and run again on this surface. I think he would handle a little bit of cut in the ground, but he’s a very fast horse with a low action, so I think he would want a bit of decent ground.

Smart prospect

Buick was also in the plate to complete a hat-trick aboard another smart Appleby prospect in the shape of Devoted Queen, who displayed signs of greenness before landing the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.

Sent off a hot favourite at 1/2, she looked rough around the edges before beating Marcella (Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy) by a neck. That made it two from two for the daughter of Kingman, who won a maiden at Newmarket in October.

“It was very much a learning day for her and she has come through it,” said Buick about the workmanlike performance.

“She’s very inexperienced and she needs to work on a few things. When she hit the front, she probably had a bit of a look and showed her inexperience, so all in all I think everyone will be really pleased with that.

Asked about the possibility of taking up her 1000 Guineas entry, he added: “It’s a bit early to say and I’m sure we will get her home and those options will be discussed.

“She is the type of filly, with the way she is built, that will keep improving and progressing and I’m sure there is plenty to look forward to with her.”

CHELMSFORD staged the final leg of the European Road To The Kentucky Derby series on Saturday, with the Woodford Reserve Cardinal Stakes carrying £100,000 in prize money.

Favourite for the contest was Aidan O’Brien’s Capulet, but the son of Justify could only finish third behind Bracken’s Laugh (Richard Hughes/Finley Marsh).

A heavy ground winner on two-year-old debut, the son of Zoffany quickened well when getting a gap in the straight to beat Orne by two and three-quarter lengths.

“I didn’t know if Bracken’s Laugh was a Guineas horse or a Derby horse,” said the winning trainer. “So we’ve decided to go to Chester for the Dee Stakes next and then look at a race at Royal Ascot. He’s our best horse so if he hadn’t run well we’d be in trouble, but the team are in good shape and long may it continue.”