Berkshire Shadow defeated the likes of Angel Bleu and 2022 winner Notre Belle Bete; jockey Oisin Murphy revealed the Andrew Balding-trained horse could now run at Newcastle on All-Weather Finals Day
Saturday 11 March 2023 15:45, UK
Berkshire Shadow bounced back to form and set up a potential trip to Newcastle on Good Friday with a stylish success in the Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton.
Winner of the prestigious Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2021, he went winless last season but was not disgraced in either the 2000 Guineas or the St James's Palace Stakes.
He never quite hit the expected heights afterwards but Andrew Balding was convinced the son of Dark Angel was returning to something like his best.
Reunited with Oisin Murphy, the now gelded Berkshire Shadow (5-2 favourite) travelled sweetly throughout and hit the front a long way from home.
Harry's Bar and Angel Bleu gave chase in vain, but Berkshire Shadow held on by a length and a quarter, with Ralph Beckett's Angel Bleu gaining second on the line.
"It was a very good race, Angel Bleu is a top-class horse, they've met before," Murphy told Sky Sports Racing. "It's brilliant to get the horse back, it's great to see him get a Listed win and hopefully he'll build on it.
"He's trained really well. He's a Dark Angel so has plenty of size and scope and we always felt he wasn't just a two-year-old. His run in the Guineas last year was fantastic so it's great to get back to winning ways.
"I haven't discussed anything with Andrew but perhaps he could have a run on Good Friday, the horse is in very good form. It's great for the owner too."
Owner Paul Spickett confirmed Good Friday and Finals Day would now be the plan, adding: "He's been a super horse. He had a few niggles last year but Andrew said he was going well.
"He's definitely got the ability. The Coventry would have done me in truth, if he never won another race, but he's shown he's still got the ability. Roll on Good Friday.
"There's a lot of options for him now. They went quick today and when he came off the last bend he had it won."
Alrehb defied a career-high mark to get the better of Unforgotten in the Spreadex Sports Lincoln Trial Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Trained by Kevin Philippart de Foy, the grey had won last time out at Southwell but had been raised 4lb for that half-length success.
The 5-1 shot looked up against it when John and Thady Gosden's 11-4 favourite Unforgotten hit the front a furlong out in his bid for a fourth successive victory - but Alrehb had other ideas.
Delivered with a perfectly timed challenge by the red-hot Danny Muscutt, he went on to win by half a length, with last year's winner Notre Belle Bette back in third.
