Cheers, Alex!
Sun 28 Aug 2022
WINNER 97 OF 2022: ICE COLD IN ALEX, trained by Ken Condon and ridden by Jamie Powell (-7): 'The ' Killashee Handicap' over 6f at The Curragh.
The likeable and consistent 8 year old gelding lined up at The Curragh, with Jamie Powell in the saddle for the first time.
Held up in rear, he was still there at the 2-pole, but then started to pick them off, coming through the pack. He ran on well to lead in the final 110yds, winning comfortably, by 1 and 3/4 lengths. His 4th win at The Curragh - he loves it there!
"Ice Cold In Alex romps home and the good season for Middleham Park Racing continues across both sides of the Irish sea." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/407433-killashee-handicap
Timeform awarded him a career best 97 rating, commenting: "Trying 6f for the first time this season, bounced back to form to open his account for the campaign, probably doing well under the circumstances too..waited with, headway when got gap over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yds, well on top finish."
In his post race interview on Racing TV, Jamie said: "Niall McCullagh has ridden him plenty and said to cover him up and don't get there too soon. Everything was straight forward and once I got stuck into him, he hit the line well. It suits him here and he loved the quick ground."
The Racing Post reported: "Apprentice Jamie Powell has been quietly making a name for himself this season, and the Kildare town native took a big step forward in his career by landing a 254-1 treble. He said: "What a great day. It's great to ride my first treble on my local track. I'm from five minutes down the road and hopefully it's the first of many."
Read the Irish Racing story, here: https://www.irishracing.com/news/Ice-Cold-In-Alex-wins-decisively/235439
See the official photo gallery, here: https://healyracing.ie/gallery/27-8-22-curragh/130ice-cold-in-alex-jap/#/gallery/27-8-22-curragh/130ice-cold-in-alex-jap/
Ken was there and said: "I am delighted for the horse, Charlotte and Andrew Nolan and all the team at Middleham Park. He is very consistent and when he gets conditions in his favour, you can always rely on him. He got a lovely ride from Jamie, that was his first ride for us and I was very impressed. Well done all."
During the race before, the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes, Coralillo, our 2 year old daughter of Havana Grey, ran a super race, doing it the hard way down the centre of the track. She was just caught in the last few strides, adding black-type to her pedigree, on only her third start.
Eddie's Boy continued his fine form, taking 3rd in the Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes, under top weight at Newmarket, taking his race earnings to over £141,000. Not bad for a 2 year-old! This was his first try at 6f and he stayed the trip well, which opens up yet more avenues for the speedy son of Havana Grey.
Now, on the subject of the magnificent, leading first season sire HAVANA GREY, we bought a yearling at Goffs this week....In training with RICHARD FAHEY, shares are available, here: https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/horses/view,havana-grey-ex-dolly-colman-colt_1475.htm
Then in the evening at Redcar, Star Shield was denied in a photo finish and Fairmac ran another solid race - both taking 2nd. Three winners required to reach 100 winners for the year and with some good chances this week, across both codes, who will be number 100?