No 'Limits' on expectation, for a good-priced winner, in the group three Cornwallis Stakes over five furlongs at Ascot today; brings back memories does this highly-prestigious Autumn dash! Twenty-five years ago my own two-year-old, Cragside, stormed into the lead 300 yards out only for jockey, Brian Rouse, to drop his whip, lose balance and allow the colt to drift sharply right; Doulab sooped late and beat 'Craggy' by a neck! It cost me an absolute fortune, Cragside was sold to America, instead of assuming the career of a sprint stallion!
Ownership though costly was stimulating and no one knows better than Harry 'Denman' Findlay who part-owns Above Limits, third in the fiercely-competitive 'aged' sprint won by Strike the Deal At Doncaster last month'. It was a herculean effort by Above Limits, beaten only a length and the same margin ahead of Dandy Man! Judged on that performance Above Limits has an outstanding chance of landing this 'fifty-five grand' sprint despite presence of Taajub and Bould Mover, both rated higher on official ratings. The fillies' allowance puts Above Limits in the mix and each-way is worth playing. Only five go to post for the Hyperion Stakes over seven furlongs, unbeaten dual-winner, Quadrille, is an obvious choice.
On my time-handicap Quadrille clearly has the edge, has apparently worked superbly since winning gamely over a similar distance at Kempton last month and, of course, Richard Hannon's yard is absolutely flying. York stages its final meeting of this campaign, Dale Gibson retires after riding there. It'll be an emotional afternoon for Dale, hope he rides a winner and crowns an illustrious career before embarking another successful job, in racing. Whatever Dale does will be done with the same conscientiousness approach he bought to race-riding; son, George, will be a major issue in the life of 'the racing family Gibson!'.
Soft-ish ground conditions on the Knavesmire should, hopefully, favour Dandy Nicholls-trained, Laylas Hero, impressive winner of a nursery at Haydock on a similar surface five weeks ago. What beats him will win the listed, �30000 Rockingham Stakes, especially if able to replicate that four lengths plus victory. Makaamen is one of the best handicapped three-year-olds and he, too, acts best on an easy surface; with four places on offer Barry Hills' runner is worth backing each-way (and following!) in the Coral UK Handicap over seven furlong.
SELECTIONS
RACE 5 (10) MAKAAMEN (e.w.)
RACE 7 (4) ABOVE LIMITS (e.w.)
RACE 17 (4) LAYLA'S HERO
RACE 27 (4) QUADRILLE
