LONDON – Shena’s Dream can add to her gains at Pontefract on debut by winning the Jung Pumpen & Pump Technology Handicap at Newbury.
The William Haggas-trained three-year-old looked above average over 1200m at the Yorkshire circuit when readily accounting for Warrick Brown by 0.50 lengths.
What was most praiseworthy about that display was the way in which she overcame clear traits of naivety, not to mention mid-division jousting for position, to get home quite tidily.
Although that maiden is unlikely to be too revealing for the future, this step up to 1600m is a logical manoeuvre given she is related to a clutch of winners over similar distances.
Such was the close proximity to Warrick Brown, the handicapper has been unable to get too serious, so Haggas must be quietly satisfied by her inaugural mark of 67.
Unless the Met Office has committed a Luke Nolen-esque error of misjudgement, the likelihood of drying ground is also a boon – as is the appointment of Royal Ascot top jockey Ryan Moore.
This is a tougher assignment than the one she faced at Pontefract, but many of her rivals in Berkshire are beginning to look a tad exposed.
The same cannot be said for Shena’s Dream, who looks the sort of capable horse who could feasibly rack up a winning sequence.
Ryedale Lass was an unlucky loser at Bath last time, but has been unearthed a nice race at Brighton in which to set the record straight.
The four-year-old filly was a no-nonsense scorer over 2000m here on 12 June, for which she was raised six points by the handicapper.
She is clearly still progressing, though, as Ryedale Lass should really have struck again at Bath, only to encounter desperate traffic problems entering the final 200m.
Although the assessor has been brutal by adding another 2.5kg for that second-placed finish to Pindar, it is clear many observers feel she has more to offer ahead of the Wolseley UK Handicap.
Trainer Joseph Tuite’s decision to step her up to just short of 2400m also looks a good piece of business given the staying qualities which were so evident at Brighton on her penultimate run.
Carragold can dish out weight and a beating in the Remember John “Mother” Hubbard Handicap at Beverley.
The Mel Brittain-trained six-year-old has not yet finished out of the money on seven starts in East Yorkshire and was an uncompromising winner here in May off a seven-point lower mark.
Carragold also goes well on a rain-softened surface, as demonstrated by his good fourth at York 11 days ago when he badly missed the break.
Despite being on a career-high mark, he clearly still has room to manoeuvre off 77 – especially at Beverley.
Irish import Fear Glic made a pleasing British debut here in May, and ought to go close in the In Memory of Peter (Mr Kipling) Burns Maiden Hurdle at Newton Abbot. – Press Association.
