Spycatcher (Ire)

The flooded fields that line the approach to Spigot Lodge might suggest differently, but spring has finally arrived in Middleham and that can only mean one thing in these parts. On Good Friday, as tradition dictates, a handful of the town's racing stables will invite the public in for a look behind the scenes as part of the annual Middleham Open Day, organised by Racing Welfare. Spigot Lodge promises to be the first port of call for many visitors, with trainer Karl Burke expecting to welcome between 200-300 people during...

There was one attendee at Ascot on Saturday that refused to succumb to Frankie fever and that was King Power's grey enigma Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}--Evening Time {Ire}, by Keltos {Fr}) who on his 15th attempt in Group 1 company finally made the breakthrough in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint. Blazing the trail in isolation in his habitual style, the star of the Tim Easterby yard looked set to play second fiddle as Dettori edged ahead late on the 5-4 favourite Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) but where he...

Unexposed over six furlongs, Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}--Pure Illusion {Ire}, by Danehill) stormed on to the sprinting scene with an emphatic success in Wednesday's G2 1895 Duke of York Clipper Logistics S. Trading strides with the ultimately-disappointing Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) until after halfway, the John Quinn-trained mare who was race-hardened after four outings so far this year put that 11-4 joint-favourite to bed soon after.  Despite drifting left, the 11-2 shot was still able to hand Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}) a 2 3/4-length beating,...