Lingfield Park 8th July
By Paul Simmons

Track: Standard AW

The Sprinters Maiden Stakes over 5 Furlongs:
1. Tash Reefat Mr. B Adams
2. Lama Mr. H Haynes
3. Nokomys Mr. A Newey

Distances: 3, ½ 9 ran Time: 01:07:77

Winner owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

A classy field and Bill Smith’s filly Lama set a scorching pace from the start with Deraasaat, Earlsdon and Tash Reefat handy. From the back straight Tash Reefat made smooth headway and led from the two furlong marker with Sam Davison’s smart newcomer Nokomys making steady headway in the final furlong-and-a-half rallying behind Lama. 4/1 shot Tash Reefat (Bengali D’Albret x Seglaoui) won impressively at the line under a superb ride from Barry Adams with three lengths to spare over her rivals and trainer Gill Duffield commented “She’s a nice filly but we have no big plans for her yet”. Lama (Vaniti Suits Me x Geisha Lotoise) ran a gutsy race trying to make all and kept on in the final furlong to hold onto second. Nokomys (Amer x KTP Mystic Flight (Wiking)) made an eye catching debut for owner/breeder Jane Haddock always travelling well she was gaining with every stride at the finish and is one to note for the future. Trainer Sam Davison was thrilled with her debutant and said “She’s a really nice filly with a promising future and we think a lot of her at home”.

The Avon Thoroughbreds Handicap Stakes 0-95 over 1 Mile 5 Furlongs:
1. Aljawza Mr. P Collington
2. Hellow Mr. S Holdsworth
3. Fripon Al Maury Mr. S Walker

Distances: 2 ½, ½ 9 ran Time: 03:80:70

Winner owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

A good field of staying handicappers and potential improvers saw Gill Duffield claim a double for HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with the talented Aljawza. CS Khan made sure it was a true stamina sapping trip and led from the start with Fripon Al Maury and Hellow following in the rear, after six furlongs Fripon Al Maury took with stable mate Hellow and the stalking Aljawza cruising in behind. From the three furlong marker the writing was on the wall as Aljawza (Dormane x Maheba De Piboul) made her move under a confident ride from Phil Collington to win comfortably at the line, Gill Duffield said after “She’s a nice mare with plenty of ability but needs cut in the ground, we might go for the stayers handicap on Dubai Day but haven’t decided yet”. Hellow (Kesberoy x Hafia De Faust) was back in second remains firmly on the upgrade following two wins last season both on the all weather over this trip, this was an encouraging seasonal debut and he will have strong place claims for the big handicap on Dubai Day, stable mate Fripon Al Maury (Djouras Tu x Fayoum) ran a game race under top weight but is struggling against young improvers this season and ran on for third.

The Town & Country Farms Novice Rider Handicap Stakes 0-70 over 1 Mile:
1. Al Mamoon Mr. J Akehurst
2. Cal Mora Pretender Mr. D Burton
3. Fayre Abi Mrs. V Murphy

Distances: 1 ¼, 1 ¼ 10 ran Time: 01:54:89

Winner owned and trained by Mrs. D Thomas. Bred by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saeed.

Al Mamoon (Passem Lotois x Al Hanoof) always seems to run well fresh and won first time out last season, he continued the trend when winning nicely here for owner/trainer Delyth Thomas; always handy he came with a strong run inside the final furlong and ran on readily to score under a strong ride from the talented Joe Akehurst. Cal Mora Pretender (Bakara x Mora Pretenciosa) is holding her form well and made the winner pull out all the stops and wasn’t beaten far a length-and-a-half back in second, whilst Fayre Abi (Abitibi x Fayrelands Gold) ran his usual game race and was staying on at the finish and will come for the run. All look capable of taking a hand in the finish of the opening handicap on Dubai Day over seven furlongs.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Tri-Banded Stakes (A, B & C) 1 Mile:
1. On The Wing Mr. H Haynes
2. Hamac Miss S McIlwaine
3. Shereik Mr. J Akehurst

Distances: 2 ½, 1 ¼ 12 ran Time: 01:57:89

Winner owned by Miss T Smith & Mr. A Jay. Trained by Miss T Smith. Bred by Godolphin Racing Inc.

A competitive banded race led from the start by Glastonbury Pop with Hamac and Shereik breathing down his neck. Hamac took over the running from the three furlong marker travelling supremely well but On The Wing (Wiking x Tee Jay Carries Star) was cruising in behind under a confident ride from Harry Haynes. Hamac led into the straight but it was only a matter of time before Haynes pressed the button with On The Wing and when he did she kicked clear in the final furlong to win by two-and-a-half lengths. Hamac (Alexandra De Tyv x Alricho) lost nothing in defeat rallying gamely in the last furlong to hold onto third and will come on for the run. Whilst Shereik (Frere Des Loups x Satin Sheiks (Samsheik)) seems to have found her form and her level, she stuck her neck out and battled on gamely in the final furlong to claim third and her turn looks near.

The East Grinstead Stakes over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. Malik D’Or Mr. S Walker
2. Nes Naas Mr. P Collington
3. CS Al Wahed Mr. H Haynes

Distances: 3, 10 4 ran Time: 02:20:76

Winner owned by MAUFA Syndicate. Trained by Mr. W Smith. Bred by Mme M Lopez & M J M De Fajole.

CS Al Wahed produced his usual bold front running display but was stalked all the way by Malik D’Or and Derby entry Nes Naas. Simon Walker always looked in command on Malik D’Or and went to the front two furlongs out as Al Wahed weakened, with Nes Naas chasing in behind. Malik D’Or (Dormane x Malika Fontenay) quickened clear in the final two furlongs with a useful turn of foot and won nicely with Nes Naas (Jehol De Cardonne x Letlato De Carrere) off the bridle but staying on for second. Trainer Bill Smith commented after the race “Malik’s strengthened up this year and is improving but he wants further than this”, he confirmed that Malik is a possible for the Group 1 Dubai Stakes on Dubai Day in a fortnight. Nes Naas wasn’t disgraced on only his second start beaten by an older improving horse, however, on this basis he doesn’t look good enough for the Derby next week. CS Al Wahed (Bengali D’Albret x Cikada (Klarnet)) needs a greater test of stamina to be seen at his best but wasn’t disgraced back in third.

The Web-Simple Maiden Stakes 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. Aljaareh Mr. S Harrison
2. Proven Point Mr. H Haynes
3. Novol Mr. S Walker

Distances: ½, 1 ½ 7 ran Time: 02:24:76

Winner owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

A decent maiden with Novol leading from the start followed by the favourite Muntaliq, Dunollie and Direct Route. They went a good clip with Proven Point and Novol upping the pace from the back straight with Aljaareh (Khairouan x Bisbille (Dormane)) travelling well behind. Novol tried to shake them off in the straight but stable mate Proven Point (Vadeer x Prunelle De Ghazal (Djou Said)) ranged upsides in the final furlong and led only to fall victim to the devastating burst of speed from Aljaareh who shot clear in the last half furlong under a great ride from Steve Harrison to win going away by half a length, he looks firmly on the upgrade. Proven Point fought out a titanic battle with stable mate Novol (Volpone x Sherrie Noreen (Hawk Hill Cyzark)) and both look progressive types to keep on the right side of.

The ARO Returns in August Open Race (TB, AA & PBA’s) over 2 Miles:
1. La Perruche Mr. P Rondel
2. Exclusive Air Miss E Owen
3. Beauchamp Quest Mr. M Lurcock

Distances: 17, ½ 5 ran Time: 03:39:69

Winner owned & trained by Mr. P Rondel. Bred by Mme M Gaillard.

Philip Rondel gave the young jockeys plenty to think about when scorching home in the stayers event on his superb Part bred Arab mare La Perruche (L’Estragon x Iron Bird); who slammed her thoroughbred cousins with a stamina driven display in the final race – in doing so making history by becoming the first PBA to win over a thoroughbred. Emma Owen tried to make all on Exclusive Air (Affirmed x Lac Dessert) and set off at a decent pace but La Perruche was biding her time under Rondel, she came to lead from the three furlong marker and skipped clear in the final furlong to win by an impressive fifteen lengths. Exclusive Air had no chance with the winner but fought gamely in the final furlong to hold onto second by a neck from Beauchamp Quest (Pharly x Beachamp Kase) who made eye catching progress from the field.