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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spiritual wins the opener on Betfred Derby day at Epsom
Spiritual (9-1) ran out an impressive winner of the opener, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, on Betfred Derby day at Epsom on Saturday afternoon. The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old, who had not won since scoring at Sandown last July, was given a positive ride by Rab Havlin to score. Stepping back up to an extended mile having run well over seven furlongs at Lingfield on her seasonal return, she crossed over to take the lead early on in the race. And once she hit the front she hardly saw another rival during the 1m½f Group Three contest. Spiritual went into the lead after about a furlong and once she turned Tattenham Corner, the daughter of Invincible Spirit began to move clear of the field and eventually came home four-and-three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of Bright Thunder (14-1) with Sparks Fly (11-1) half-a-length back in third and Royal Dress (16-5) was another three lengths further adrift in fourth. Advertisement John Gosden said: "She loved it in front and got a bit of space around her which gave her plenty of confidence and she relaxed. Leah, who rides her every day, does a great job as she's a handful and she goes off funny little places on her own otherwise she's off. READ MORE: Liverpool make improved offer for Florian Wirtz as £113m transfer talks continue READ MORE: Florian Wirtz transfer concern is clear as Liverpool wait explained "A mile is her trip and that was an easy mile, she ran well in the seven-furlong race at Lingfield. It was lovely to win a Group Three like that in good style and they gave it to her easy up front as they say. Advertisement "She's a good filly, but she sometimes worries about the others. The good thing is she got free there. She's got a Group Three now so we'll go and look at a Group Two somewhere and if she doesn't win she might be placed. There's one in France we've our eye on and we were just hoping to run well today and not go win like that. " On the runner-up Bright Thunder, trainer and Liverpool FC fan Karl Burke said: "She ran a brilliant race and I'm very happy with her. She loved the ground and probably could have done with it being a bit softer. I think that was probably a career best and we're very happy." Trainer David Loughnane was also happy with the effort of stable star Sparks Fly, who was third. He is hoping she can finally land a Group race this season. Loughnane said: "She ran a blinder, she just didn't get out in time. She's handled the ground fine and that's the first time she's gone and got black type with good in the going description, I'm thrilled with the run. It was a real blinder and it opens up a few more options for her now. I've always thought she was a Group Three horse and she's proved it there. I thought she was the best horse in the race, but just got held up and didn't get there in time." Persica, ridden by Ryan Moore, wins the Betfred Diomed Stakes on Derby Day at the 2025 Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Saturday, June 7 2025 -Credit:PA Persica (6-4 favourite) came through late to land the Group Three Betfred Diomed Stakes at Epsom. Advertisement The Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old had won the Group Three Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Sandown in April before finding Group One company and the slight step back down to a mile beyond him when eighth in the Lockinge Stakes last month. But back down to Group Threee level and up over this 1m½f, Persica was back in the winner's enclosure at Epsom where he also was after winning a handicap at this meeting last season. Under Ryan Moore, Persica was settled towards the rear despite having been prominent in many of his races. But he moved through the field stylishly and came late to collar Ice Max (10-1) and score by three-quarters-of-a-length. Docklands, who may head to Royal Ascot in 10 days' time for the Group One Queen Anne Stakes, was also finishing late and was just a short-head further adrift in third. Trainer Hannon said: "He's one of those horses who's a pleasure to turn up to the races with and he's a good-looking horse who belongs to the right people and he has a chance in any race. "Knowing his owners they'll be thinking Japan Cup and Breeders' Cup and something in Australia, but being honest we've always been happy to ply our trade around this level. We might make the occasional jump up on the back of this which I think makes sense, but he has a chance in any race if he gets his ground. Ryan said he struggled going down the hill a bit, but I didn't have the guts to tell him he had been here last year and won!"
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘Stacks of staying power and class to match' – Templegate's 9-4 NAP thrives under this jockey
TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday's racing confident of boosting the coffers for a blistering Saturday of action. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. SWEET WILLIAM (3.45 York, nap) He will be delighted there's no Kyprios in the line-up as he chased home the staying superstar a couple of times last season. The Gosden runner had his own days in the sun too when winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown and the Doncaster Cup. He ended his campaign with another excellent effort behind Kyprios in Ascot's Long Distance Cup. We know he has lots of staying power and he gets on well with regular rider Rab Havlin who can use all his experience in what could be a tactical race. Rebel's Romance has been well backed but he's going beyond 1m4f for the first time at this late stage of his career which has to be a worry. St Leger winner Continuous may be a bigger threat while Aidan O'Brien is in such sizzling form. GLITTERING SURF (3.13 York, nb) She has won her two lifetime starts without breaking sweat on the all-weather and can keep that run going on turf for in-form trainer Owen Burrows. He is running at almost 50 per cent winners this season. This mile trip is ideal and there should be a lot more in the locker with fast ground highly likely to suit. ROYAL APPROVAL (2.25 Newbury, treble) This son of Cracksman showed some promising signs on his turf return at Doncaster last time out. He sees out this 1m2f stronly and has had a little nudge down the weights. He looks massively overpriced and it would no shock to see him make the frame at least. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
