Roger Charlton’s admirable sprinter Genki (12-1) claimed another decent prize in the Listed Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes at Newmarket.
Charlton was not sure whether the seven-year-old would be spot-on for this as he is difficult to evaluate at home, but he displayed much of the ability in which he has shown when winning the 2009 Stewards’ Cup and finishing third in last season’s Haydock Sprint Cup.
Steve Drowne hit the front in plenty of time and just managed to evade the challenge of Iver Bridge Lad and Dinkum Diamond by a neck and a nose.
“I’m really fond of him – he’s a really caring, kind horse,” said Charlton.
“I thought he’d need it today as he shows you nothing at home. He’ll probably go for the Duke Of York Stakes now, there aren’t many sprints around at the moment.”
Miniature two-year-old Princess Banu put her experience to good use in the EBF John Fairey Retirement Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
Mick Channon’s filly went off at 11-1 despite being the only horse in the field with a previous run, finishing fourth at Ripon last week.
She made all the running to beat Royal Blush by a length and three-quarters.
“Every time I look at her it makes me laugh – she’s that small,” said Channon.
“She jumped up going out of the stalls at Ripon and it was all over.
“She’s sharp, and I would have been disappointed not to win a race with her this year.”
Mahmood Al Zarooni is keen to try Midsummer Fair in a Derby trial after his impressive debut victory in the Greville Starkey Wood Ditton Stakes.
Sent off at 6-1 despite the stable taking a similar event with Ocean War on Wednesday, the son of Medaglia d’Oro was always close to the pace under Mickael Barzalona before delivering an unmatchable burst in the final furlong.
Henry Cecil’s Air Traffic came from a long way back to be second, three lengths behind.
“The jockey thinks he’s best over a mile but I think we might look for a race at a mile and a quarter, as you have to try to find out,” said Al Zarooni.
“I’m not sure, but I think this is a better horse than Ocean War, who is a mile and a half horse.”
Midsummer Fair is 25-1 for the Investec Derby with Sky Bet.
Cecil said of Air Traffic: “He was twice the size of some of the others, but he’ll get there.”
Deity (15-2) made a surefooted start to her career in the Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
“That was very professional and we’ll just take it step-by-step,” said trainer Jeremy Noseda.
“I liked her last year but she had a setback which kept her off. I hoped she’d be in the first four so I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Art History (9-4) rattled off a three-timer with the resolute performance of many a Mark Johnston horse in the Glynn Hopkin Handicap.
“He had wind surgery as we thought he needed it,” said Johnston.
“He was 4lb well-in and he’ll go for mile-and-a-half races now.”