Brando the Godfather at Newmarket
The Kevin Ryan-trained Brando registered victory in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes under Tom Eaves at Newmarket on Thursday.
The sprinter was third in the QIPCO British Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot on QIPCO Champions Day on his last outing and allayed fears surrounding the firm conditions underfoot by mastering long-time leader Ornate, trained by Robert Cowell and ridden by Ryan Moore, in the closing stages to justify Evens favouritism.
Ryan has now won the race three times in the last four years and last year’s Ayr Gold Cup winner looks to have a bright season ahead of him based on this G3 victory, in which he showed a willing attitude and a good turn of foot to register victory.
Local trainer Chris Wall also looks to have a smart horse on his hand as 5/1 Mix And Mingle, a creditable seventh in last year’s 1000 Guineas, scored decisively in the bet365 handicap on the Rowley Mile.
The filly was ridden by Ted Durcan and she looked to have a bit of class about her as she came away nicely to win by a length.
Wall said:
I’m very pleased. She’s done it well and she hasn’t been over-galloped heading into this, so we’d like to think there’s improvement to come. I was keen to get a run into her as she was getting very fresh. The lad at home was pleased we were going to run her anyway!
The plan now is the fillies’ Group Three (Chartwell) at Lingfield on Trials day there in early May. The timing was good, she likes fast ground and has won here before so we were keen to bring her here.