Timeform Weekend Review

Features / Timeform / 29 March 2010 / Leave a comment

Irish Heartbeat (near side) was just the start of a wonderful weekend for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan

Punters still suffering from a financial hangover after the Cheltenham Festival were provided some much needed pain relief at Doncaster on Saturday.

"While Penitent and William Haggas may have taken the feature event, the opening weekend belonged to Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan who racked up no fewer than five winners over the two-day meeting on Town Moor."

Penitent had been the subject of huge ante-post support for the Lincoln throughout the week leading up to the race, and went off a short-priced favourite for what looked like a typically competitive renewal. His supporters hardly suffered a moments doubt, as he travelled well on the heels of the leaders and was by no means fully extended when asked to quicken by Johnny Murtagh. William Haggas, landing this race for the third time, has handled the horse expertly, and there still seems to be plenty of improvement to come as Penitent was unraced as a two-year-old and only saw the racecourse five times last season. He could well tackle pattern company next and looks more than capable of making his mark.

While Penitent and William Haggas may have taken the feature event, the opening weekend belonged to Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan who racked up no fewer than five winners over the two-day meeting on Town Moor. Irish Heartbeat won the curtain raising Spring Mile in impressive fashion and travelled like a horse well ahead of his mark for a long way, only to idle in front, and his stamina may have been stretched over a mile on tacky ground, but a drop back to seven furlongs should help as he climbs the weights. Chiswick Bey won the five-furlong conditions race on the card and the yard's two-year olds are often more forward than most in the early weeks of the season, so they should be well worth following in the coming weeks. Kaldoun Kingdom picked up where he left off last year, impressing with the way he travelled and quickened when landing a six-furlong handicap on the Sunday, and he's worth a try in a higher grade.

Sprint king Dandy Nicholls landed the Cammidge Trophy with Inxile, who looked to be the stable's second string behind standard bearer Tax Free. With all his best from coming over five furlongs, the longer trip combined with the testing ground looked to be against Inxile, but he blazed a trail out in front and showed great determination when challenged by Prime Defender.

Dubai World Cup night often throws up a few surprises, and this year was no exception as just one favourite managed to score on the eight-race card. The British challenge suffered mixed fortunes, the highlight coming with Dar Re Mi getting the William Buick/John Gosden partnership off to the perfect start when landing the Dubai Sheema Classic. Presvis now has another hard luck story to add to an ever growing list; held up as usual, Chirstophe Lemaire was blocked by a wall of horses as he attempted to make his challenge and the Luca Cumani stable star was eased down in the closing stages once his chance had gone. In the Dubai World Cup, there was to be no fairytale for Gitano Hernando, as Marco Botti's charge could only finish sixth, with fellow British raiders Crowded House and Twice Over further back. The finish of the world richest race was thrilling and perhaps slightly embarrassing for jockey Kevin Shea who thought he'd snatched it with Lizard's Desire, only for the photo to be called in favour of the French-trained, Brazilian-bred Gloria De Campeao.

The Tommy Stack team continued their fine start to the season in Ireland as Noll Wallop landed the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday. He travelled strongly and quickened up well to score in impressive style , and he looks a colt with a big future. The Irish 1,000 Guineas will be the next stop for Lady Springbank, who landed the fillies trial in equally impressive style.

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