Timeform Weekend Review May 16-17: More big race disappointment for Paco Boy

Weekend Review / Timeform / 18 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform wrap up all the action from Newbury and Newmarket.

It was certainly a day of exciting finishes at Newbury on Saturday. The highlight of the card was a thrilling finish to the Group 1 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes ran over one mile on soft ground.

Paco Boy was a short price favourite but this race appeared to prove that, in the soft ground at least, he doesn't possess the necessary stamina to win a Group 1 over this trip. The race was left to Godolphin's Alexandros and John Gosden's Virtual to fight out the closest of finishes, Virtual coming out on top by the minimum distance. Alexandros was perhaps slightly unlucky as Frankie Dettori dropped his whip inside the final furlong.

The previous race on the card, The Aon Stakes, also featured a rousing finish. Tastahil, who had made all under Richard Hills, was headed inside the final furlong by All The Aces only to get back up tenaciously and win by half-a-length.

Tastahil could be seen next at Royal Ascot in the Ascot Gold Cup although connections stated that he would need good or easier ground to line up in the Group 1 contest. Another horse being aimed at Royal Ascot is Aqwaal who won the Aon London Gold Cup by a head after wearing down the gallant Decision. Decision trained by the in-form Clive Cox had attempted to make all and very nearly did so, agonisingly denied in the final strides. It was a fine effort by both horses and they were some way clear of the rest suggesting both could go on to better things.

The most impressive winner of the day came in the Berry Bros & Rudd Handicap over six furlongs. Main Aim, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore showed an impressive turn of foot to turn the race into a procession, winning by seven lengths. Connections will surely be looking to find a race at Royal Ascot for this progressive colt and the Golden Jubilee Stakes could be an option.

Elsewhere on Saturday it was a fantastic day for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey William Buick as the pair completed a treble at Newmarket thanks to Chiberta King, Victoria Montoya and Oceana Blue. John Gosden and Clive Brittain also continued their fine form, both with winners at Newmarket and Newbury.

Luca Cumani was out of luck at Newmarket as both Riggins and Boz failed to fulfil favouritism but there was worse to come as stable-star Presvis just failed to win the Singapore Airlines International Cup on Sunday morning after suffering trouble in running. He was denied by a head after being checked in the straight and losing momentum.