Friday 28 August 2015 18:51, UK
A round-up of the pick of the action from Newmarket where Promising Run delivered at the second time of asking.
Promising Run delivered at the second time of asking after making all in the opening division of the Stride By TRM EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket.
After finishing a solid third at Goodwood on her debut, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained two-year-old put her previous experience to good use to open her account in the seven-furlong event.
Although the prominently-ridden Cersei went off in pursuit late on she had no answer to the even-money favourite, with two lengths separating the pair at the line.
John Ferguson, representing the winning trainer, said: "She was still a little bit green, like she was at Goodwood, but she has got a bit of class.
"I think James (Doyle) felt that another furlong would help her in time. Something like the Rockfel may be the answer for her."
Positive tactics worked the trick for Diploma in the second division of the Stride By TRM EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
Bounced out in front by Ted Durcan soon after exiting the stalls the 11-4 joint-favourite made virtually all the running to build on her promising debut effort at Doncaster.
While several in behind travelled well the seven-furlong contest ultimately turned into a two-horse race between the eventual winner and Doubly Motivated with the pair drawing right away from field.
Quickening up the hill it was to be the Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly who got the verdict, edging out the Charlie Hills-trained newcomer by a neck.
Stoute said: "We were very pleased with her debut run and we knew that she would come on for it.
"Ted said she was not doing much in front and that we could have done with a lead, but we didn't want to mess about in a race like that."
Bathos demonstrated all of his battling qualities to emerge on top after a final furlong duel in the TRM GNF Nursery Handicap Stakes.
Positioned just off the pace, the giant-framed son of Poet's Voice dug deep when it mattered most to claim the mile contest and follow up his win at Beverley 15 days ago.
Having tracked Harlequin Rock for much of the journey, the Mark Johnston-trained two-year-old hit the font meeting the rising ground. Although he was quickly pursued by Sterling Work, the 4-1 shot was not to be denied, him mastering his closest pursuer by three-quarters of a length.
Johnston said: "That was very good. I'd forgotten that Franny (Norton) had ridden him at Beverley where he found it all too sharp.
"He is a great big thing and can't do things in a hurry, but clearly today he had time to get there. He has such a great attitude."
Tashweeq moved closer to taking up engagements in some high-profile races later in the season when opening his account in the TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes.
Having shown plenty of promise on his racecourse debut at Newbury earlier this month, the John Gosden-trained colt, who holds entries in the Racing Post Trophy and the Dewhurst Stakes, put his previous experience to good use in against a field of above-average types.
Although requiring plenty of driving by Paul Hanagan to catch early leader Tabarrak, the 10-11 favourite responded well reeling in Richard Hannon's debutant before going on to score by a length and a quarter.
Gosden said: "He is going the right way from his Newbury run. The winner at Newbury (Justice Law) knew the game and he was learning that day.
"The further he went, the better he got. It was meant to be a hot maiden, so it will be interesting to see what comes of it, but I liked the way he finished the race.
"I might be happy staying at seven furlongs with him. He is very progressive and these maidens at this time of year are not easy to win.
"I think the logical thing would be to have a another run before stepping him up."
George Peckham lived out one of his career ambitions after saddling his first winner at the track thanks to the victory of Majrooh in the Hoofmaker By TRM Handicap.
Appearing to relish the step up to a mile and a quarter the 13-2 chance handed Peckham, who trains in nearby Stetchworth, his inaugural winner at the course when finishing with a flourish down the centre of the track before scoring going away by a length and a half.
Peckham said: "We've always liked him and the step up in trip has brought out a lot of improvement. This is my first winner here and it has always been a dream to achieve that."
Three-times Derby-winning jockey Walter Swinburn made a return to the winner's enclosure as an owner after Mister Brightside got back to winning ways in the TRM Invest In Calphormin Handicap.
After being denied a hat-trick on his last start, Jeremy Noseda's 2-1 victor, who is part-owned by Swinburn, mastered his rivals on his step back up to seven furlongs with a clear-cut two-length success.
Noseda said: "Things didn't go right for him last time out. He is a horse that looks like he has gears, but he is just a resolute galloper. We may look at the three-year-old only handicap at the St Leger meeting for him now."
The Mick Channon-trained Persun (10-1) overcame a 125-day absence to belatedly get off the mark in the Farm & Stable Celebrating 40 Years Maiden Stakes, while Cool Bahamian (16-1), trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, got the better of a blanket finish in the concluding trm-ireland.com Handicap.
