Stoute’s Sea Moon rising as St Leger date looms

The Symphony Handicap over five furlongs went the way of Secret Asset giving jockey George Baker a first York winner.

Finishing with a telling late burst, the Jane Chapple-Hyam trained six-year-old denied the Yorkshire-trained trio of Racy, Favourite Girl and Irish Heartbeat by a short head in a thrilling climax.

Overjoyed Baker said: “You just have to get him into a rhythm in his own way, but when you can he’s quite a useful horse.”

Entifaadha found stepping up in class to be no problem as he won the Acomb Stakes by one and a quarter lenghts.

Trainer William Haggas was suitably impressed. He said: “He’s come from a maiden to this and done it well. He’s got the will to win and a good temperament.”

Despite coming off the bridle early in the race, Entifaadha showed a likely attitude to stay on well to beat Fort Bastion and Kieran Fallon’s mount Zumbi.

A crack at Group One company awaits the winner with Haggas saying: “He’s in the Champagne, the Dewhurst, the Tattersalls Sales race and the Racing Post Trophy. If he takes the race well we will crack on.”

Sea Moon was the most impressive winner on the opening day, pulverising his rivals in the Great Voltiguer, earning him quotes as short as 6-4 for the St Leger.

Trainer Sir Micheal Stoute was also bullish about the horse’s chance in the season’s final Classic. “On that performance, he’s got a great chance in the Leger, for sure,” he said.

Twice Over gave owner Prince Kahlid Abdullah his first Juddmonte International, as the Ian Mongan-ridden winner lunged late to deny stable-mate Midday by three quareters of a length to give the owner and race sponsor a famous one-two.

Bomber Jet, trained locally by Nigel Tinkler, landed the Sportingbet.com Nursery.

The Fallon-ridden two-year-old found plenty of trouble in running but was able to get on top close to home to score by a neck under the ex-champion jockey’s power- packed ride.

A race a little further afield than York awaits the winner.

“He’ll end up in Hong Kong because that’s where his owner is from, but I don’t know whether that will be this year or next.”

The final race of opening day went to another Yorkshire-based trainer as the formidable Fahey-Hanagan combination saw Our Joe Mac battle back well to score from Arlequin by a head.

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