Take Cover breaks down Walls
Last Updated: 12/07/14 8:37pm
A round-up of the rest of the action from York, where Andrea Atzeni wrapped up a nice double when Take Cover took the City Walls Stakes.
Take Cover (9/1) made every yard to claim the John Smith's City Walls Stakes.
The David Griffiths-trained seven-year-old had been an excellent eighth to Sole Power in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, beaten just three lengths, and proved impossible to pass drop markedly in class for this Listed event.
G Force put down a strong bid but the winner was always holding the 7/4 favourite as he gave jockey Andrea Atzeni a quick big-race double after his victory on Farraaj in the John Smith's Cup.
Veteran Kingsgate Native had every chance after being brought to challenge on the outside of the field but was ultimately well-held.
Griffiths said: "He's different league when it's like that. They just can't get to him as he stays six pretty much.
"We did wonder about running him. The ground is quick, but it's safe.
"Hopefully we can kick on now. He'll probably go to Goodwood for the King George Stakes and then back here for the Nunthorpe. I think he's a Group One horse.
"We wanted Andrea, but couldn't get him. When his horse (Eton Rifles) was a non-runner we got him."
Bronze Angel registered his first success since the 2012 Cambridgeshire when making light of the fast conditions in the John Smith's Racing Handicap at York.
The Marcus Tregoning-trained five-year-old had showed signs of a return to form when a close fourth in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot over seven furlongs and was suited by the step up to a mile.
The 6/1 joint-favourite pulled nicely clear under Martin Dwyer in the final furlong to win by two and a quarter lengths from Bartack. Mujazif was third and Alfred Hutchinson fourth.
Dwyer said: "He was stepping back up to a mile, he was back to his winning mark and Marcus filled me with confidence.
"I was on the best horse and I went for the safe option. I was further back than I wanted to be from the wide draw (11), so I just waited and got him relaxed.
"The last half-mile he flew into the race, he quickened really well and I went to the outside to be sure. He's a proper fast-ground horse."
Bronze Angel could be out again in a valuable handicap in the next few weeks as he holds entries in Ascot's International Stakes on July 26 and the Betfred Mile at Glorious Goodwood.
Continuum (11/1) gave trainer Peter Hedger his first winner on the Knavesmire when coming fast and late to claim the John Smith's Silver Cup Handicap.
After racing towards the rear for most of this mile-and-three-quarters Listed event, Joe Fanning brought the former Lady Cecil inmate to get up in the closing stages.
The five-year-old got home by three-quarters of a length from the 6-4 favourite Waila with Great Hall just a neck away in third.
Hedger has several options in mind for the five-year-old, who cost 240,000 guineas at Tattersalls October Sales, including the Betfred Ebor back at York in August, the German St Leger or a race at Deauville.
"I don't think I've had a winner north of Doncaster before. I had a licence from 1985 but gave up training from 2007 to 2010," said Hedger.
"It was the owner of this horse, John Whelan, who I trained Kilcash for, that got me training in his own yard as a salaried trainer.
"We were told this horse had ability but was quirky. We gelded him and he's a lot better now. We sweetened him up.
"He's in the Ebor but there are other fixtures that weekend, there's a one-mile-seven at Deauville and the German St Leger."
Kevin Ryan introduced a potentially smart youngster when Flaming Spear made an impressive debut in the John Smith's Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Ryan took the corresponding race 12 months ago with this season's French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby and Flaming Spear was sent off the 11/10 favourite on the back of glowing home reports.
Flaming Spear did the job well once he realised what was required by jockey Ryan Moore as he stormed past the long-time leader Lady Gemini in the final furlong to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
Polarisation was a further four lengths away in third.
"He'd been showing the right signs at home and it was just a case of education. We've always thought a lot of him," said Ryan's son and assistant Adam of the winner, who cost owners Qatar Racing and Essafinaat £260,000 at the Doncaster Breeze-Up Sales.
"He's a big race horse, but we had the best man on board for that. He just gave him time to relax. The horse looked round, he was entitled to it.
"There was a big crowd and it was his first day at school, but once he got rolling he lengthened out and galloped straight to the line.
"We'll sit down with Sheikh Fahad, his racing manager David Redvers and do what's right for the horse. He looks like a horse that could get a bit further."
Ryan also struck in the York race in 2012 with Blaine, whose next run saw him claim the Gimcrack at the Ebor meeting.
Danny Tudhope reached 50 winners for the season when steering home David Simcock's Gabrial's King (14/1) in the John Smith's Stayers' Handicap.
Tom Queally came in for the winning ride on Kibaar (6/1) in the John Smith's Nursery after Kieren Fallon was stood down after injuring his wrist in the John Smith's Cup.
It was a close-run thing, however, as the Barry Hills-trained Kibaar got the verdict by in a finish of noses from Denzille Lane and Bahamian Sunrise.