Gutsy win by Bogart timed to perfection

A winner of the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes two years ago, a race that Tim Easterby hopes to win today with Ventura Mist, Bogart unshipped Ryan two furlongs out in the Sky Bet Dash in a horrific fall and she is still on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

With her boyfriend Brian Toomey slowly recovering from a life-threatening fall at Perth, these have been testing times for Ryan who says her father Kevin – and the rest of the family – will be able to enjoy the whole week after this success.

“The saddle completely came off the horse last time,” said Ryan, the Yorkshire Post columnist. “It was a one-in-a-million chance. I have had about a thousand rides and it has never happened to me. I was lucky. The horse has been gelded and it has made all the difference.”

Neil Callan took over in the plate from Ryan and the 7-1 chance was never far from the pace against the rail.

Goldream challenged on the far side, along with Face The Problem down the centre, but Bogart won by three-quarters of a length from the former. Callan said: “I’m the lucky one as this should be Amy Ryan’s ride. He’s gutsy and has got loads of speed.”

As for Ryan senior, he struggled – momentarily – to keep his emotions in check.

“Amy was confident the last day, but seeing her get up off the ground meant more than any winner I’ll ever have – it put years on me when it happened,” said the Hambleton-based trainer. “We felt he was coming back to his best and he does like this track. He’ll be entered in the Portland (Handicap, Doncaster) and we’ll also look at the Ayr Gold Cup.”

Ryan was denied an opening-race double when The Grey Gatsby, the 5-4 favourite for the Pinsent Masons LLP Acomb Stakes, finished second to recent Pontefract winner Treaty Of Paris. Winning jockey James Doyle said of Henry Candy’s charge: “He was very tough. I was allowed a lovely, soft lead in front and he stayed well.”

There was a second White Rose success when Middleham’s Mark Johnston’s Broxbourne won the two mile Lanstone Building Conservation Stakes under stable jockey Joe Fanning.

Out to strike it Lucky and defy the penalty

GEORGE Margarson is hoping Lucky Kristale’s 3lb penalty does not scupper her chances of winning today’s Connolly’s Red Mills Lowther Stakes.

His star filly has to give weight to all her rivals in this Group Two after winning at the same level in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

However, he reports Lucky Kristale to be in fine shape as she bids for a second notable success and her fourth in all.

“All’s fine. She cantered this morning, a four-furlong blow. She’s in good form and no problems, touch wood. At the moment she’s in good nick and ready for action,” said Newmarket-based Margarson last night.

“It’s annoying she’s got the 3lb penalty. The Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket used to be a Group Three so never got a penalty in this race and then you went straight for the Group One Cheveley Park. Now the Duchess of Cambridge is a Group Two it makes things more difficult.

“There may be improvers in there tomorrow, you just don’t know what you’re meeting. My filly beat Clive Brittain’s Rizeena at Newmarket and she ran well in that Group One (Prix Morny) the other day. Queen Catrine is the one I fear the most. She’s an improving filly.”

Her trainer, Charlie Hills, believes the daughter of Acclamation, who was third to Lucky Kristale at Newmarket, has strong claims.

J Wonder is the only filly defending a 100 per cent record in this race and trainer Brian Meehan is looking forward to her stepping up to Group class.

“Full-sister to Chachamaidee who started with a fluent win at Newbury then retained her unbeaten status with a fluent performance in a hot Newmarket nursery,” said the Manton trainer. “The next two home have since given the form strong endorsements... great chance.”

Trainer Roger Varian will have no runners at York this week as he tries to keep a bug in the yard under control. The Newmarket handler was to have run Ambivalent in today’s Yorkshire Oaks.