Ahern fancied to lead home three North Yorkshire rivals (From York Press)

Ahern fancied to lead home three North Yorkshire rivals

10:20am Wednesday 1st August 2012 in Horse racing By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

Four of the eight runners in tomorrow’s £70,000 Audi Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood are trained in North Yorkshire, and Ahern, who represents Thirsk-based David Barron, is fancied to lead the way home in the Group 2 contest.

The mount of Jamie Spencer, Ahern, a winner on his debut at Musselburgh, has since finished fifth in the Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs and Royal Ascot and a hugely creditable third, beaten by only half-a-length by the highly-regarded winner Alhebayeb over six furlongs in the July Stakes at Newmarket.

Ahern looks rock solid and his form stands the closest inspection.

He is marginally preferred to North Yorkshire’s other runners, the Richard Fahey-trained pair, Euxton Hall, a dual-winner, and recent Hamilton scorer Ginger Goose, and Mark Johnston’s speedy Heavy Metal.

The £100,000 Artemis Goodwood Cup is the feature race on the card and Ireland’s Saddler’s Rock is napped to turn the tables on Colour Vision after their clash in the Ascot Gold Cup in June.

Colour Vision nailed that showpiece event by half-a-length from his stable-mate Opinion Poll, with Saddler’s Rock just a neck back in third. This race is half-a-mile shorter and Saddler’s Rock, winner of last year’s Doncaster Cup, meets Colour Vision on 4lb better terms.

It may be enough for John Oxx’s fine stayer to gain his revenge under Johnny Murtagh.

The opening Betfair The Bonus King Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter looks wide open, but Beaufort Twelve is worthy of consideration for Kieren Fallon.

The William Jarvis -trained three-year-old was a flop at York in June when finishing last of five on good to soft ground, but he had previously won on this course and subsequently finished a good second at Windsor on fast going. He is well drawn in stall three and should make a bold bid.

A spirited assault by Beaufort Twelve will point the way to Silver Lime’s chances in the concluding Betfred Mobile Lotto Handicap.

Trained by Roger Charlton, Silver Lime finished a short head second to Beaufort Twelve on this course earlier in the season.

North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara has done an excellent job on Dutch Rose this season, placing her to win four races, the latest at York three weeks ago.

Considering she has soared from an opening mark of 62 to 86, it would be something special if Dutch Rose can oblige again in the Tatler Handicap. She is, though, not easy to dismiss.

Sir Michael Stoute has placed Her Majesty the Queen’s Estimate to win both her races this season, at Salisbury and in Royal Ascot’s Queen’s Vase, which she clinched by five lengths.

Ryan Moore’s mount shifts back from two miles to one-and-three-quarter miles in the Ishares Fillies’ Stakes, but Estimate is very much on the upgrade and promises to take all the beating.

Whatever Jamie Spencer’s fate on Ahern at Goodwood, he has another good chance of a North Yorkshire-trained winner on Desert Philosopher in the Kiss Mix Handicap at Epsom’s evening fixture. Kevin Ryan’s sprinter was a winner at Kempton on his latest start.

Recent course winner Arashi (5.50) and the useful Cameron Highland (7.30) are two others to note.

 

Racing selections

Goodwood (tomorrow)
2.15 Beaufort Twelve, 2.45 Ahern, 3.15 Saddler’s Rock (NAP), 3.45 Estimate, 4.20 Heading North, 4.55 Dutch Rose, 5.25 Silver Lime.

Epsom (tomorrow)
5.50 Arashi, 6.20 Desert Philosopher, 6.55 Law Enforcement, 7.30 Cameron Highland, 8.00 Rum Punch, 8.30 Halling Dancer.

Tomorrow’s other meetings
Nottingham, Ffos Las and Stratford.

Today’s meetings
Goodwood, Leicester, Perth and Redcar.