Kevin Ryan’s rising Star in surprise Newmarket win

With just a novice win at Ayr to her name in four previous starts, the daughter of Pride Of Dubai took a giant step forward with a staying-on success in the Group Three contest under Kevin Stott.

Having finished behind Setarhe and Dubai Fountain in a Listed event at Sandown last time, the Kevin Ryan-trained two-year-old exacted revenge on the pair when finishing fastest of them all in the seven-furlong prize to defeat the latter by a length and a quarter.

Ryan, who trains at Hambleton, said: “We are delighted with her as she is a sweet filly.

“She got very unbalanced at Sandown and it was a bit of a risk coming to Newmarket of it happening again. I thought she would have a fair chance of handling it though if he got her down the hill, as we knew when she hit the rising ground she would come home well.

“She is quite a laid-back filly and she will improve with racing. I couldn’t fault her today as she has picked up and quickened well.”

Though victory for Star Of Emaraaty would have been a surprise to plenty given her double-figure price tag, the Hambleton handler was optimistic she could reach the frame.

He added: “We were very hopeful of being in the three and not just being there to make up the numbers.

“If you think that way you always have a chance. Thankfully things dropped right for her.”

Despite not nominating an immediate target for Star Of Emaraaty, who was introduced at 50-1 for the 1000 Guineas by Betway, the Group One-winning handler is considering stepping her up in trip on her next start.

He added: “We will speak to Niall O’Brien from the Ontoawinner syndicate and see what he wants to to do, as he is quite good at judging what races to go for. I do see her having no problems in getting another furlong though.”

Joint-favourite Fly Miss Helen was pulled up midway through the race and suffered a fatal injury.

A Newmarket spokesperson said: “Fly Miss Helen sustained an injury during the race and she was euthanised on the course. Our condolences go to connections.”

Space Blues produced a decisive turn of foot in the final furlong to open his Group One account in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

The Godolphin-owned colt finally got his triumph at the top level in impressive fashion.

Kevin Ryan’s Hello Youmzain held on for second place, with Aidan O’Brien’s Lope Y Fernandez a head away in third.

Tim Easterby believes the ground could dictate the outcome of the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes for his smart sprinter Art Power.

The three-year-old has made giant strides this season, winning at Newcastle soon after the resumption before taking the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot.

He handled the step up to Pattern company with aplomb in Ireland, beating Jessica Harrington’s classy Missisle by over six furlongs at Naas, but Easterby would love to see some rain before his date with Battaash at York.

“I’d like it to rain. We’re fine over five furlongs, but I just wouldn’t want to run him on very quick ground because it’s not all about the Nunthorpe,” said Easterby.

“He goes on fast ground, but the pace you need for that race on fast ground might be the thing. If it rains it is definitely the right way to go.

“I know there’s a few two-year-olds supposedly running but in my opinion none of them are a Lyric Fantasy, the ones mentioned are nice horses but Battaash is something else.

“The ground is key to us having a good chance, I think.”

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