Crown of Oaks continues his progression

Aside from Sky Majesty finishing only eighth in the Haydock Sprint Cup, it proved a memorable afternoon on Saturday for William Haggas and everyone at Somerville Lodge. The Newmarket yard sent out 5 winners from 12 runners including Crown of Oaks runaway success at Ascot. The son of Wootton Bassett was gelded following his defeat at Redcar in May and has returned with a victory at Ayr on his handicap debut off 79 in late July. Raised six pounds, he produced an even better display at the Berkshire track. Keen early on, he soon settled and was still very much on the bridle turning for home. Leading over a furlong out, he sauntered six and a half lengths clear to win hard held. The bookmakers reacted accordingly making him around 4/1 favourite for the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket (27th September) in three weeks time. Originally number 94 on the list with a weight of 7st 10lb, he incurs a four pounds penalty which moves him up to number 79, which means he still needs plenty to come out to ensure he lines up on the Rowley Mile later this month. In the words of his trainer, it will be a while before Crown of Oaks runs off 85 again. Regardless of whether he runs in the Cambridgeshire, he is a most progressive three year old.

Crown of Oaks provided the Top 40 with another winner and the other two entries on Saturday both ran well in second at the same venue. Ironically, the Ralph Beckett pair, namely Push The Limit and Bright Times Ahead, both filled the runners-up berth behind Haggas trained runners. The former held every chance in the twelve furlongs three year old heritage handicap but couldn't get passed Tenability. Beaten a length, it was five and a half lengths back to the third. He will hopefully gain compensation in a similar event before the end of the season. Stablemate Bright Times Ahead has been bitterly disappointing this term having been viewed as a potential Classic contender in the spring. However, the daughter of Lope De Vega showed much more in the fillies' handicap keeping on well having been hemmed in behind runners. Suited by slow ground, she was racing off a mark of 80 here and can go one better granted similar conditions.