Friday 8 August 2014 17:19, UK
A review of the action from Musselburgh, where Fendale booked his ticket for a place in the Gimcrack Stakes line-up.
Fendale maintained his unbeaten record in the British Stallion Studs EBF Stallions Conditions Stakes at Musselburgh and booked his ticket for the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York in the process.
Bryan Smart's Exceed And Excel youngster had won by five lengths at Beverley on his debut, but faced sterner opposition in the form of odds-on favourite Teruntum Star from the Kevin Ryan yard.
Fendale was carrying 5lb more than his market rival, who also had the assistance of 5lb claimer Kevin Stott, and when Smart's 5/4 chance missed the break he looked to have a tough task on his hands.
However, once he picked the bit up at halfway Fendale always looked like getting on top and Paul Mulrennan only had to push him out with hands and heels to register a length and three-quarters victory.
Owner Ritchie Fiddes said: "We always thought he was a nice horse before he ran at Beverley, but you always need to see them go and do it on the track.
"We were a little worried today that five furlongs might be too sharp for him, but it was the only real option we had if we wanted him to have another run before the Gimcrack.
"I thought today his class enabled him to win, he'll be much better over six furlongs on a galloping track like York.
"He sweated up a bit and he did at Beverley, but it obviously doesn't stop him. He's just a typical Exceed And Excel, it's nothing untoward.
"What will have helped him today is that he's come past horses, like he had to do on his debut, he was still a bit green so every bit helps.
"He's beaten a nice horse there. Paul has ridden him the last twice and they rate him highly.
"As we sponsor Paul there was never any doubt he would be riding ours and he's having a great spell, I'd be amazed if anybody has ridden more winners that him in the last fortnight.
"He's on course to break his best ever season and the quality of horses he's riding is improving, too.
"Hopefully he can have a couple of winners at York with Moviesta in the Nunthorpe and Fendale in the Gimcrack. We might also run She's A Worldie in the Roses Stakes."
Mulrennan doubled up on Ruth Carr's Ellaal (5/1 joint-favourite) in the "Eme Sweepstakes" Handicap.
Mark Johnston's Alex My Boy was cut to 25-1 from 40s by Sky Bet for the Ladbrokes St Leger having justified 11/8 favouritism in the Archerfield Cup.
Despite being drawn in stall 10 Joe Fanning had him handy early on and he drew further and further clear in the straight, winning by an eased-down four lengths.
As well as holding an entry in the Doncaster Classic he is engaged in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day and Fanning intimated afterwards he would have no problems staying two miles already.
