This week saw the final Group 1 race of the UK season with the William Hill Futurity Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday while the 2 day Cheltenham Showcase Meeting also took place. The week also saw the introduction of two very promising 2 year olds, namely Alobayyah on Tuesday at Yarmouth and the following day Treble Tee at Newmarket. Both could have bright futures and their respective connections will be looking forward to the Spring of next year to see how far they can progress.
The Group 1 Futurity stakes over the straight mile of Town Moor was an 8 runner affair and the finish was fought out by the two Irish raiders, Delacroix from Ballydoyle and Hotazhell, with the latter prevailing by a nose for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley at odds of 11/1. The winner is entered in the English and Irish Guineas so fingers crossed he winters well.
Over at Cheltenham the main event, also sponsored by William Hill, was dominated by Irish invaders too with two Henry De Bromhead charges fighting out the finish. Senior Chief prevailed from stablemate The Short Go by a length and a quarter with 11 lengths back to the third. The November Meeting cannot come soon enough for the Major.
Back to Yarmouth on Tuesday and Alobayyah won her novice stakes coming from last place to win on the snaff by over 2 lengths. Money for this filly forced her price into 4/1 from an opening show of 9/1. A filly by Ghaiyyath she looks to have a nice future for connections Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, William Haggas and Tom Marquand.
The following day Simon and Ed Crisford unveiled a colt by Persian King in the Aston Martin Novice Stakes called Treble Tee. Again not short of market support returning 3/1 having been available at 12/1 the previous evening, he raced prominently and travelled strongly for James Doyle who only had to push him out for a 2 lengths success over this 7 furlong trip. The future looks bright.
Sunday saw the Aidan O’Brien trained Twain win the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud over a mile under Ryan Moore on only his second start, having won his maiden only 8 days previous at Leopardstown. Meanwhile over the sticks at Aintree the feature Old Roan Handicap Chase was taken by the Donald McCain trained Minella Drama. The 9 year old was winning for the 5th time over fences after making virtually all under Brian Hughes.