Stratford 22nd September Preview
By Paul Simmons

The Des Gleeson Memorial Maiden Stakes over 6 furlongs:
Simon Walker made a rare bad decision when opting to ride Elizan over the unraced Khadeer and Mark Wall made the most of this spare ride with an inspired piece of riding to bring Khadeer (Vadeer x Kenithra) home inside the final furlong and to draw clear on the run in for an easy four length victory over the hard ridden Elizan (Makzan x Elite Star Ku). Back in third was Edjalie (Bengali D’Albret x Edjara Al Garamaze) who ran a blinder travelling well and quickening nicely to run on for third in this competitive maiden.

The Weatherbys OPEN race Handicap over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
Champion jockey Phil Collington was once again seen to good effect on Night Cap who confirmed his superiority over Fraternity with a power packed display, always travelling well behind long time leader and pace setter Fraternity; Collington brought Night Cap (Night Shift x Classic Design) with his run inside the home straight and pulled clear to win easily in the end by four lengths. Fraternity (Grand Lodge x Catawba) plugged on bravely under top weight for second ahead of Megabond (Danehill Dancer x Apple Peeler) who was staying on impressively in the end.

The AHS & ARO’s Breeders Cup over a Mile (for Pure bred Arabs bred in UK):
Last season’s Champion jockey Phil Collington has the pick of horses at Gill Duffield’s yard and rarely makes an error of judgement but did so here as he opted for Hathrah who was sent off favourite ahead of stablemates Anayid and Nasij. But it was Martin Smith who seized the initiative from the start on the game and improving Anayid (Djendel x Seglaoui) who set a decent pace from the start and kept up her relentless gallop to record an all the way victory by three lengths from Hathrah (Makzan x Ester Du Paon) who was galloping resolutely behind in her slip stream but never looking like she was going to reel her in. Back in third was Nasij (Dormane x Elisa Du Paon) who ran a sound race, she stayed on well in the straight ahead of CS Charma.

The Loddon Ltd Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
A big field of 16 went to post for this race and they set off like a pack of scalded cats seeming to sprint for the first six furlongs. By the back straight the field was starting to spread out as many started to labour. CS Khan, Roches Du Cayrou, Cal Mora Pretender, Jubilee Dancer and Consider Me were always in the front pack and as the field turned into the straight it was Roches Du Cayrou (Newday x Kahinaoura) who came with a wet sail and powered clear under a well judged ride from the promising young Robert Flint for owner/trainer Delyth Thomas. Jubilee Dancer (Chndaka x Russian Dancer) ran a storming race back in second for owner/trainer Tracey Wright, she clearly appreciated the drop in grade and the stamina sapping trip and was running on well at the end; she looks to be coming to hand. Whilst Consider Me (Dormane x Reconsider) posted another solid staying performance back in third sticking grimly to his task to hold off the staying on Cal Mora Pretender.

The ARO Sweepstakes Handicap Final 0-60 over 1 Mile:
Sam Holdsworth is enjoying one of his best seasons ever as a jockey and his purple run continued as he piloted Theresa Smith and Tony Jay’s smart colt Floren to victory in this valuable final. Holdsworth led from start to finish on Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys De Nautiac) and always looked in command as the colt showed a useful turn of foot to kick clear in the straight. Hayleys Comet (Nevesti x Kapilia) ran a fine race in second racing prominently throughout and coming home strongly inside the final furlong to claim second. Whilst Raihan (Passem Lotois x G Sustika) who ran such a brave race on Dubai Day showed her good heart with a good battling effort, she ran on well inside the final furlong to hold onto third ahead of a one paced Mustameet.

The Penn Challenge Handicap Stakes Final over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Steve Harrison rode a courageous race on Tamagotchi jumping off in front and leading the field and fine gallop and he looked to have bagged the victory as he came storming home inside the final two furlongs, but back in his slip stream was Curupanna (Opera Ghost x Easter Panic) cruising under an ever confident Sam Holdsworth. Curupanna was coasting down the straight and Holdsworth pushed her clear inside the final furlong to win by a comfortable two lengths from a brave Tamagotchi (Lord David S x Fleurbienka). Madrison was running well back in third but laboured near the finish and lost third to a fast finishing La Perruche (L’Estragon x Iron Bird).

The Jebel Ali Racing Club handicap Stakes over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Robert Flint doubled up with a power packed ride on Bonham who was recording his second victory of the campaign and has been a model of consistency this season for owner/trainer Chris Culleton. Always travelling well Bonham (Bakara x Bonnie Jet) kicked clear inside the final furlong but had to be driven all the way to the line by Flint as David Turner and a back to form Fair Deed Dash were staying on determinedly in the final furlong, but Bonham kept up to his work to win by half a length. Fair Deed Dash (Dedja Des Forges x TFA Ashajan) ran her best race of the season with a good battling effort for second, whilst Brigitta (Khairoaun x Barryh) is improving with every run and ran another sound effort under Phil Collington, she stayed on well inside the final furlong plugging on determinedly for third and is one to note for next time at this grade.

The Samad Racing Handicap Stakes 0-95 over 6 Furlongs:
A surprise victory for the unfancied Madid who was given a superb ride by Champion jockey Phil Collington, this gelding has looked less than responsive in his last three starts but won well enough here under a determined Collington who was at his best to drive Madid (Bengali D’Albret x Kahina El Kihm) home by a length from Jelvita (Njewman x Vite Amine). The latter ran another sound race after her good win at Salisbury, she had every chance inside the final furlong and despite Danny Burton’s urgings she couldn’t catch the winner. Whilst Earlsdon (Akbar x Elgonda) maintained his consistent record this season, always prominent he seemed a little out paced in the final furlong but kept on for third.