Weekend Review: Secret's out as Pearl stretches unbeaten run to four

The Scurry Stakes was the highlight at Sandown on Saturday and Pearl Secret got the better of Free Zone to justify favouritism, getting up by a neck to land the five-furlong listed contest and extend his unbeaten record to four. Pearl Secret didn't have to improve upon the form he demonstrated at York on his previous start to land the Sandown sprint and the three-year-old travelled powerfully throughout before quickening well to overcome a poor track position as well as the run of the race. Pearl Secret looks sure to develop into a fine sprinter judged on Saturday's performance and he remains one to keep on side when stepped up further in class.

The handicap feature at Sandown was won by Fennel Bay, who demonstrated a willing attitude from the front to produce an improved level of form having looked exposed coming into the contest. It was interesting that his improvement came dropped in trip back to a mile given he has shaped as if his optimum trip could prove to be ten furlongs and the Mark Johnston inmate may be a decent proposition back over the longer distance, although admittedly the likely rise in the weights could be enough to prevent him winning again.

The other handicap contest of note at Sandown was a ten-furlong race won by Shamaal Nibras, representing the Richard Hannon/Richard Hughes combination. The three-year-old responded well to pressure inside the closing stages, going on to score by two lengths, having been held up in the early part of the race. Whilst this does represent an improved level of form, it is worth pointing out that the race was run to suit and things may not go his way so much next time.

Tullius was the winner of the listed contest over at York, taking the Ganton Takes by two lengths from Doncaster Rover. Saturday's performance marked his fourth consecutive victory and second in listed company and Tullius now looks likely to ply his trade in Group contests. He battled well at the weekend, demonstrating a solid attitude and he is worth a place in better company.

The Bond Tyres Handicap Trophy was the most valuable contest at York on Saturday and that went the way of Sholaan, who routed a strong field to take the race by five lengths. William Haggas' runner found much improvement for the drop back in trip to six furlongs having done all of his racing over seven so far, with the fitting of blinkers also a potential reason for the improvement. Whilst he did travel powerfully and responded well to the whip inside the closing stages, events on less testing ground are likely to prove more competitive and he is also likely to face a hike in the weights as a result of his wide-margin win.

There was also Flat racing at Bath and Lingfield on Saturday, the latter hosting an all-weather evening meeting. Hexham was the only UK jumps card over the weekend, whilst over in Ireland Limerick hosted an eight-race Flat card. A European Breeders' Fund Fillies' Handicap looked to be their feature with the race eventually won by New Magic, who got the better of Rock On Ciara to take the race by a length and a half.

Sunday's Flat action took place at Doncaster and Salisbury with a listed contest at the latter-named venue the most inspiring race at either track. Libranno got the better of Our Jonathan and Definightly in a thrilling finish with Eton Rifles back in fourth. Sunday's contest was a messy one, however, with a false early pace, and those who raced prominently were arguably seen to better effect. He looks the type to hold his form well and should prove competitive in future listed races.

There was also Flat racing over in Ireland this week with the Group 3 Noblesse Stakes the highlight from Cork. Sapphire put in a good performance to run out a four and a half length winner with Betterbetterbetter in second, the Dermot Weld-trained filly travelling well for much of the way before quickening clear over two furlongs out. She has entries in higher grade races, including the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes, but it is worth mentioning that all of her best performances have come with some cut in the ground.

The other noteworthy race from Cork was the Midsummer Sprint Stakes, a listed contest over five furlongs. The event was eventually won by Mirza, who finished well to land the contest, pushed along over two furlongs out before responding well to his jockey's urgings. He should remain competitive at this kind of level and he'll be one to look out for next time given similar conditions.

The Prix de Diane at Chantilly was the biggest race of the whole weekend, and it provided a shock, going the way of outsider Valyra in the end for the Aga Khan. Odds-on favourite and Pouliches winner Beauty Parlour was denied a classic double, finishing second, in turn well clear of the remainder. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe now looks on the cards for the first and second home, the pair priced 16.531/2 and 18.535/2 respectively for Europe's richest race.

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