Belle-issima
Sat 12 Aug 2023
WINNER 73 OF 2023: LEXINGTON BELLE, trained by Alice Haynes and ridden by Kieran O'Neill: The 'Peter Bell Memorial Fillies' Nursery Handicap ' over 7f at Thirsk.
Making her nursery handicap debut, 5 of the 9 strong field were syndicate or racing club owned, with the pressure on our silks; as she was chalked up as favourite!
Breaking smartly, she was soon in the lead, without having to expend too much effort. Ridden over 1f from the line, she soon went well clear, with nothing else coming from the pack to challenge. She was eased towards the finish, winning by 4 and 3/4 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/458398-thirsk/11-Aug-2023/1510
Timeform rated it as a 73 performance, saying: "Back up in trip, was well backed and proved a different proposition fitted with cheekpieces and switched to a nursery, soon having matters in hand; dictated, quickened under 3f out, went clear over 1f out, eased final 50 yds.”
Kieran said in his Racing TV interview: "She jumped and was handy and as there wasn't much pace in the race, we kicked on. Off the bend I asked her to extend and she put the race to bed pretty quickly.”
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Well done to her owners. I have spoken to Alice and she is as delighted as we are that Lexington Belle is showing what she has at home at the races. She relished making the running and we’ve entered her at both Epsom (over seven furlongs) and Wolves (extended mile) under her penalty next Friday. She’s come out of the race really well.”