By Tom Frary
David Simcock has an above-average crop of juveniles this term and the Never Say Die Partnership's Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) provided a further boost to the stable with success in the G3 Virgin Bet Horris Hill S. at Newbury on Saturday. Off the mark by 6 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong Yarmouth novice Sept. 14, the 4-1 shot was held up in rear early tackling this extra furlong by Jamie Spencer racing a touch freely. Gently cajoled into contention as the testing conditions took their toll on the clear leader Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), the chestnut worked his way to the front with 150 yards remaining and despite being notably green late on asserted to score by 1 1/2 lengths from Cresta (Fr) (New Bay {GB}). Tacarib Bay (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who was hampered by the winner's drift right away from Spencer's whip, was half a length behind in third.
“It's good to have one of his potential again,” Simcock said. “He is a good-actioned horse and got away with the ground today–he's done very well to sustain his challenge, but it shows he's got a good engine. He could for a Guineas trial in the spring and then we'll look at one of the Guineas.”
Light Infantry is out of the Austrian champion older mare Lights On Me (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who is kin to the Listed Pomfret S. winner Choose Your Moment (GB) (Choisir {Aus}) and the Listed Warwickshire Oaks runner-up Dragonera (GB) (Doyen {Ire}). This is the family of the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Elliptique (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris-winning sire Marjorien (GB) and the G1 Melbourne Cup hero Americain (Dynaformer). Also connected to this year's G3 Prix Eclipse winner Top Gear (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Lights On Me's yearling colt is by Anodin (Ire).
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
VIRGIN BET HORRIS HILL S.-G3, £50,000, Newbury, 10-23, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:29.59, sf.
1–LIGHT INFANTRY (FR), 126, c, 2, by Fast Company (Ire)
1st Dam: Lights On Me (GB) (Ch. Older Mare-Aut), by Kyllachy (GB)
2nd Dam: Time Will Show (Fr), by Exit to Nowhere
3rd Dam: Green Field Park (GB), by Akarad (Fr)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (€25,000 Ylg '20 ARQDOY; £82,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O-Never Say Die Partnership; B-Barbara Moser (FR); T-David Simcock; J-Jamie Spencer. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $48,362. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Cresta (Fr), 126, c, 2, New Bay (GB)–La Negra (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire). (£21,000 Ylg '20 GOFFUK). O-Manton Park Racing; B-Townbraccan Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-Martyn Meade. £10,750.
3–Tacarib Bay (GB), 126, c, 2, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Bassmah (GB), by Harbour Watch (Ire). O/B-Mr J R Shannon (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £5,380.
Margins: 1HF, HF, 2HF. Odds: 4.00, 6.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Noble Truth (Fr), Dubai Poet (GB), American Star (Ire), Red Vineyard (Ire). Scratched: Hoo Ya Mal (GB), Regimental Gent (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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