By Tom Frary
Saturday's G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham S. looked a renewal short of a potential big name beforehand and with a blanket in contention a furlong from home, that was duly borne out. In the event, it was Cheveley Park Stud's 16-1 shot Esquire (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire})–a gelding and therefore excluded from the upcoming 2000 Guineas–who emerged on top in the seven-furlong Newbury trial whose relevance to the Classic is questionable this year. Runner-up in York's Listed Rockingham S. and sixth in the Listed Doncaster S. over six furlongs in October, the David O'Meara-trained homebred was free early close to the pace but stuck at it and landed on the front approaching the final furlong. Driven out by Danny Tudhope, the grandson of the operation's top-class Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who enjoyed her finest hour here when winning the G1 Lockinge S. had 1 1/4 lengths to spare over the dead-heating 28-1 shot El Bodon (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and 7-2 favourite Zoum Zoum (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}).
“I wasn't sure he would stay the seven today, but today has opened that option,” O'Meara said. “We loved him before he won his maiden which was only at Hamilton and then he finished second in a listed race at York, but he disappointed at Doncaster on heavy ground at the end of last season. I thought he could come here today and maybe finish fourth or fifth, but I wasn't sure he would win.”
Jane Chapple-Hyam has a smart collection of 3-year-olds and said of El Bodon, “He's one who will improve as the season goes on and we will see how he comes out of this race, but I can't see us going for the Guineas as he showed some speed there.” Ralph Beckett said of Zoum Zoum, “We will aim for the [G3] Jersey [at Royal Ascot] and we might end up dropping back to six furlongs with him at some point. I think he will be suited by six furlongs once he's learned his job, he's a slow learner as you can see there.”
Pedigree Notes
Esquire's dam is the listed-winning Ladyship (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), one of two black-type performers out of the aforementioned Peeress who also captured the G1 Sun Chariot S. and G2 Windsor Forest S. and who is also responsible for the G3 Dick Poole S. winner Dark Lady (GB) by Harry Angel's sire Dark Angel (Ire) and the G3 Criterion S.-winning TDN Rising Star Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). Ladyship's 2-year-old filly by Mehmas (Ire) is named Kinswoman (GB).
ESQUIRE (GB) wins Gr.3 Greenham Stakes for @omeararacing! 🔴⚪️
The @CPStudOfficial homebred is by @DarleyEurope stallion HARRY ANGEL.pic.twitter.com/Qcbo3byePf
— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) April 20, 2024
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
WATERSHIP DOWN STUD TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM S.-G3, £90,000, Newbury, 4-20, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:25.17, g/s.
1–ESQUIRE (GB), 128, g, 3, by Harry Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Ladyship (GB) (SW-Eng), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Peeress (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Noble One (GB), by Primo Dominie (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Cheveley Park Stud Limited (GB); T-David O'Meara; J-Danny Tudhope. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $88,125. *1/2 to Dark Lady (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), GSW-Eng; 1/2 to Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), GSW-Eng, $282,669. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
(DH) 2–El Bodon (Ire), 128, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Flawless Jewel (Fr), by Kheleyf.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mr P W Harris; B-Mountarmstrong Stud & Partners (IRE); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam. £19,350.
(DH) 2–Zoum Zoum (GB), 128, g, 3, Zoustar (Aus)–Richenza (Fr), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire).
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Lynn Turner & Guy Brook; B-Sanctuary Stud Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £19,350.
Margins: 1 1/4, HD, HD. Odds: 16.00, 28.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Son (GB), Alaskan Gold (Ire), Mister Sketch (GB), Room Service (Ire), Army Ethos (GB), James's Delight (Ire), Watch My Tracer (Ire), Ballymount Boy (Ire).
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