Newcastle November Double
Mon 20 Nov 2023
WINNER 102 OF 2023: ALFRED, trained by George Boughey and ridden by Billy Loughnane: The 'Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Nursery' over 1m at Newcastle.
We purchased Alfred at the Tattersalls HIT sale in October and this was his stable debut for George and his first start for us. Lining up under top weight, he was chalked up as favourite.
He took a keen hold in midfield and was still travelling strongly 2f out. As he started to make headway, he was short of room for a moment, but ran on past horses to press the leaders approaching the final furlong. Staying on well inside the final furlong, he took the lead close home and won going away, by 1 and a 1/4 lengths.
"It's Alfred, who will make a winning start for George Boughey" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/19-November-2023/1328
Timeform rated it as a career best t77 performance, saying: "Made a successful start for his new yard after leaving Peter Chapple-Hyam, running his best race to gain a second career success in good style; in touch, went with zest, short of room under 3f out, got gap under 2f out, quickened to lead approaching final 1f, kept on, won readily; this was just his second all-weather start and he may add to his tally if kept on the go over the winter.”
Billy said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He took me through the race very well, after being a little keen going to the start and in the first part of the race. I managed to find a bit of room and he ran on very well when I gave him a squeeze and hopefully there's more improvement.”
See the official photographs, here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385698241/x3-alfred
Syndicate manager Mike says: "Well that WAS a good start to his career with us. I was worried when he was in the pocket, but Billy had the horse under him to power through. George did say beforehand that he would come on for it, so we're excited to see him this season. Congratulations to his owners on their shrewd share purchase!”
There are shares available in ALFRED, if you would like to join his syndicate, here: https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/horses/view,alfred-by-city-light_1544.htm
WINNER 103 OF 2023: PHOENIX BEACH, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Ryan Sexton (-3): The 'BetUK. It's Where The UK Bets Handicap ' over 6f at Newcastle.
Phoenix Beach has won at Southwell and been placed twice at Wolves, but this was his first time at Newcastle.
Drawn toward the centre of the 12 runner field, he settled into midfield. Asked for an effort at the 2-pole, he made good headway, but coming to the final furlong he was still in 6th place, chasing the leaders down. He ran on really well to take the lead and was always doing enough near the finish, to win by 3/4 of a length, from the favourite in 2nd.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/19-November-2023/1438
Timeform rated it as a t77 performance, saying: "Well backed, wasted no time getting back to form as he opened his account for the year from a career-low mark, gradually making his effort towards the advantageous stand-side rail; soon steadied, effort 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final 100 yds.”
Ryan said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He needs plenty of cover and didn't get that last time out, drawn wide. Everything worked out perfectly today and everytime I went for a gap or asked him, he responded.”
See the official photographs, here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385698243/x5-phoenix-beach
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well done to his owners - that all worked out perfectly this time. He does like to come through horses and really put the race to bed in a few strides."
Lovely to get the double from our 2 runners and we're now chasing down last year's record breaking prize money total of £2.46 million, which is impressive, as we have had fewer runners this year. It's all about quality rather than quantity and our results show that. 21 horses have gained winning or placed black-type this year and the prize money has accrued from race placement here and around Europe.