York | Archive | 2004 | September | 18

Phoenix can rise to glory - 18/09/04

From the Evening Press, first published Saturday 18th Sep 2004.

FOREVER PHOENIX, an unlucky loser of the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last week, can gain handsome consolation at Hamilton tomorrow.

The four-year-old, trained by Bob Cowell at Newmarket, lines-up for the £35,000 betfair.com Flower Of Scotland Listed Fillies' Stakes with Eddie Ahern in the saddle.

Ahern will certainly be hoping to secure a clearer passage on Forever Phoenix than she enjoyed at Doncaster, where she was continually denied a run until it was all too late.

Finishing like the proverbial express train, she secured sixth place to Halmahera, finishing right on the heels of the principals.

Successful in her previous race, Forever Phoenix is a pretty talented filly. She faces tough opposition tomorrow from the likes of Simianna, Enchantment and the French raider Sister Moonshine. But she is napped to come out on top and clinch a sizeable compensation defeat after her latest luckless defeat.

Love Palace can score for Mark Johnston in the opening Bellway Homes Maiden Stakes over an extended mile.

The two-year-old had finished in the frame in all his three starts to date, running solid races each time. His winning turn can surely not be delayed much longer.

The £20,000 Gala Casinos Merchant City Two-Year-Old Nursery Final offers the opportunity of a sizeable reward to Hansomelle, one of only a handful of juveniles trained by Bruce Mactaggart, who is essentially a trainer of jumpers.

A winner on this course two outings ago, Hansomelle ran well to finish second in a recent nursery at Carlisle. Open to further improvement, she could well get back on top here under Dale Gibson.

Trojan Flight, who finished out of the frame in a five-furlongs handicap at Ayr on Thursday, should appreciate the step up to six furlongs in the Scottish Racing Handicap.

Lynda Ramsden's gelding has been in fine form lately, winning two of his three starts before Ayr. It would come as no surprise to see him get back on track here.

Michael Bell has his horses in cracking form and recent winner Magic Sting could add to the Newmarket trainer's tally in the Super Sunday `Premier' Claiming Stakes.

As for the Hamilton Park Classified Stakes, the in-form Sir Mark Prescott could hold the key with the promising and lightly-raced Pedrillo. Prescott had a further two winners yesterday, at Ayr and Nottingham.

Over the sticks at Uttoxeter, make a note of Minivet, the mount of Malton jockey Russ Garritty, in the toteexacta Handicap Hurdle.

The nine-year-old had been in good form since joining Dick Allan from Tim Easterby, winning on the Flat and over hurdles. He should run a big race under his former regular jockey.

Tony McCoy can figure on the scoreboard on the useful Personal Assurance (2-45), while Lord Strickland (3-55), two from two this season, can make it three from three for trainer Philip Hobbs in the handicap chase.