Jalil blow weathered by Storm
Godolphin endured a curate’s egg of an afternoon at Lingfield with a promising debut winner but yet another let-down from their record purchase Jalil.
Sheikh Mohammed’s team will still be keen to dwell on the positives and, along with a three-timer at York, can be encouraged by choicely-bred juvenile Storm Force winning division one of the Norman Hill Memorial Maiden Stakes.
Although apparently unfancied at 10-1, the Cape Cross colt quickened smartly clear and was eased down to collect by nearly four lengths.
Kerrin McEvoy was doing the steering and said: “He’s done well to win first time out.
“It was only a slow early pace so I hope he doesn’t get murdered for it.”
Jalil, who cost 9.7million as a yearling and was the most expensive horse to run in Britain when making his debut last season, had at least broken his duck on his previous outing.
McEvoy gave him every chance and he was game enough in the ladbrokes.com Leads The Way Handicap.
But was picked off in the final strides by Steve Drowne and the William Jarvis-trained Troubadour (25-1).
The Australian ace still managed a double and was seen to best effect on an outside ride as he threaded the consistent 3-1 joint-favourite Matsunosuke through the eye of a needle to land the ladbrokes.com For The Best Online Bingo Handicap.
Carrying a 6lb penalty from a recent win at Wolverhampton, he doubled up by a cosy length from Osiris Way.
Winning trainer Alan Coogan said: “Kerrin gave him a great ride. He balanced him very well, but he’s not a difficult horse.
“There’s not much left for him now but we’ll try to find something.”
Drowne also managed his own brace when pouncing late aboard Risque Heights (6-1) in the ladbrokes.com For The Best Online Casino Handicap.
Division two of Storm Force’s maiden was taken with similar conviction by Jeremy Noseda’s 10-11 favourite The Which Doctor, who only had to be shaken up by Tom Queally to build on his debut second at Newmarket.
“That was very pleasing,” said successful owner Gary Stevens.
“The plan agreed with Jeremy before was to come here and then give him a break.
“He’s something to look forward to next season.”
Experts reckoned they had not seen too many grey Nayefs from the first-season sire’s crop but he has produced a fair prospect in Comeback Queen.
Edie Superstar, who was recalcitrant at the start of the ladbrokes.com For The Best Bet In Play Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, deserves a mention for taking them along at a fair clip to the distance.
But she was worn down by Comeback Queen, who was returned at a nibbled-at 20-1 and sped away by a length and three-quarters from 5-2 favourite Heritage Coast.
Rider Liam Keniry opined: “They did not go much of a gallop but she’s picked up really well.
“She’s still green, so you have to be pleased.”
Barney McGrew (15-2) obliged in the Ladbrokes Freephone Betting On 0800 777 888 Handicap for Oscar Urbina and James Toller, although owner Martin Whelton had to wait until the gelding had left the winner’s enclosure as he is allergic to horses.
The ladbrokes.com For The Best Online Poker Handicap was run at a snail’s pace, eventually going to John Egan aboard the Stan Moore-trained Polish Power (14-1).
