Aiken takes the Right Step
Aiken and Right Step were victorious in two prestigious handicaps at Wednesday's meeting at Epsom, run in inclement conditions.
Last Updated: 25/04/12 5:54pm
The progressive Aiken impressed his trainer, John Gosden, with his ability to win the Investec Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom in style, despite the wretched conditions high on the Surrey Downs.
A winner of his final three starts last year at Chester, Sandown and Ascot, Aiken had been put away in order to save him for better options as a four-year-old.
It took him a little while to get accustomed to the cambers but the favourite got into his stride in the home straight and just survived a dramatic late challenge from First Avenue.
"The problem we had as a three-year-old was that once you reach a handicap mark of 90-plus you can't find a race for half the season, and that's a problem," said Gosden.
"He has trained well this spring and it was a good effort on that ground. The Great Met is a good prize in its own right - I used to come here with my old man to see it."
City And Suburban
Jim Crowley produced Right Step with a late flourish to claim another famous prize from yesteryear, the Investec City And Suburban Handicap.
Alan Jarvis' gelding, back from a stint over hurdles, trumped Sirvino with his impressive finish and bounded a length and a half clear.
Jarvis said: "He's incredibly genuine. He's got a name for himself for always coming second but he's just been unlucky.
"He could come back here for a race he's been second in before, or go to a race at York he was also second in."
Rookie trainer Scott Dixon had earlier made an immediate impression after Cadeaux Pearl powered down the windy five-furlong straight in the Investec Specialist Bank Handicap.
"That's my first winner from my first runner here," said Dixon.
"Kieren Fallon was impressed with him. I thought he'd like the track - I was a bit worried whether he'd handle the soft ground but he loved it.
"We knew he was fit but he'd ruined his chance at Windsor last time as he bolted before the start."
The race was not one that Silvestre de Sousa will remember fondly, however, as he was given a two-day ban (May 9-10) for careless riding on Taurus Twins.