Fantastic Festival Double
Sat 06 May 2023
WINNER 34 OF 2023: SHOULDVEBEENARING, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Sean Levey: The £50,000 'Listed King Charles II Stakes' over 7f at Newmarket.
Drawn in 1 on the far side, he settled towards the rear. Inside the 2 furlong marker, all were being asked for efforts and you could see Sean and Shouldvebeenaring making up ground on the far side. Still making eyecatching headway over 1f out, he kept on well to lead in the final 110yds, running on to win by 3/4 of a length.
"Shouldvebeenaring inches home to win the King Charles II Stakes." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/441840-king-charles-ii-stakes-listed-1
Timeform rated it as a 103+ performance, saying: "Didn't need to improve to gain a second win from 5 starts this year, showing his effectiveness at 7f...steadied at the start, effort over 2f out, led inside final 1f, ran on.”
Sean said in his ITV Racing interview: "They went quick and that helped me. He was able to relax and he came up that hill really well - he's a gutsy little horse and this opens up plenty of doors for him.”
Syndicate manager Tim says: "What a super horse he is, this his 5th career win and second at Listed level. I was thrilled to be there to watch him win yesterday with Richard and some of his owners. Richard is quite right in his interview - he is a gem. Loved the interviews post and pre race and we all wish Sean and Toni all the very best, as they are to be married on Bank Holiday Monday. A fitting horse to bring up our 60th Group and Listed winner. Well done to all his owners and thanks to Richard, Sean and the Herridge team.”
WINNER 35 OF 2023: THE GATEKEEPER, trained by Charlie Johnston and ridden by Andrea Atzeni: The £50,000 Class 2 'Nyetimber Handicap' over 7f at Newmarket.
He broke superbly and was immediately at the head of the field. Challenged on his outer, Andrea held on to him and then ridden inside the final furlong, he ran on gamely, to win by 1 length. This was his third win and a career best too - it took a while for Andrea to pull him up at the end, so he is clearly in good heart.
"The Gatekeeper will fend them all off and make all." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/441841-nyetimber-handicap-2
Timeform rated it as a career best 103+ saying: "Had been given a bit of a break following a fairly intensive start to his campaign after a long absence and got back on the up in the style of a typical Johnston handicapper; led, shaken up over 2f out, edged right approaching final 1f, kept on well, had bit in hand; pulling off similar tactics in races like the Victoria Cup and Buckingham Palace, mooted as future possible targets will be tougher, but it would be a surprise if he doesn't eke out further progress somewhere as the season goes on.”
Andrea said in his ITV Racing interview: "The ground today was spot on for him and he travelled well.”
Syndicate manager Mike says: "A good ride from Andrea as he was probably just over racing a touch, but Andrea had a nice balance of holding his head without fighting him and struck for home when he wanted to. It was good to see him so strong through the line and he won going away again. Charlie and I have already discussed targets which I passed on to his owners this morning – some nice ones in there! Congratulations to his owners on a fine win.”
The Racing Post reported: 'Wedding bells'
'Shouldvebeenaring ran out a very apt winner of the King Charles II Stakes as successful jockey Sean Levey is set to be married on Bank Holiday Monday.
The grey was kicking off a double for owners Middleham Park Racing when getting the better of Benacre in the Listed contest.
Winning trainer Richard Hannon said: "That was nice as Sean is getting married on Monday. I've a few rings I can lend him!"
The Gatekeeper completed the double for the owners in the following 7f handicap.'
A fantastic afternoon, winning once again at a Festival and the owners who were there had a great day! Thank you to HQ for looking after us so well.