Weekend Review / Timeform / 10 August 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform look back on a busy weekend of racing in the UK and Ireland...

At Haydock on Saturday, Jukebox Jury recorded his second success in pattern company in the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes over an extended 10 furlongs.

In what was a strong renewal, Mark Johnston's colt was initially outpaced but stuck to his task and gradually wore Campanologist down inside the final furlong. There is the promise of better still when he is tried over twelve furlongs. Jukebox Jury is the third subsequent pattern winner to emerge from the Eclipse, a further pointer to the outstanding merit of Sea the Stars. Duncan failed to fully confirm his Coronation Cup form in third, though it was a step in the right direction after his Princess of Wales's flop.

Over at Newmarket, the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Long Lashes justified strong market support when winning the Sweet Solera Stakes. Bought privately out of Jessica Harrington's yard after winning a listed event on her debut, she took the next step up the ladder by comfortably holding Blue Maiden and the well regarded Sent From Heaven. Long Lashes is entered in both the Mill Reef and the Fillies' Mile and, as is the norm for a Sweet Solera winner, the Guineas is being considered, though she still has a long way to go to get to the required level.

At Ascot, Richard Hughes rode a 377-1 treble to secure an Irish success in the Shergar Cup. He partnered Polly's Mark to victory in the Shergar Cup Classic, who proved herself every bit as good as she appeared at Newbury in following up so emphatically, though things will be much tougher from now on. In the Shergar Cup Mile, We'll Come won easily enough to suggest he can cut it at pattern level if putting his mind to it, though he's already shown this season that the darker side of his character still lingers.

Ayr, Redcar and Lingfield also staged Saturday cards. Just Bond returned from a three month absence to win the Redcar Straight Mile Championship Handicap, moving into contention smoothly before going right under pressure. Emirates Sports, who ran creditably in third, may yet progress, especially when tried over further.

At Windsor on Sunday, Lucky General proved a class apart in the Ossie & Hutch Memorial Conditions Stakes. Though nervy beforehand, he was soon in control once sent on and ran out a comfortable two-and-a-quarter length winner. The Richard Hannon-trained colt holds good entries at six furlongs to a mile, though his earlier efforts suggest he needs to improve a little to win at pattern level.

Tags: Haydock Races, Horseracing betting, Jukebox Jury, Timeform Weekend Racing Review, Windsor Races