TDN RISING STARS

May 5, 2024 - Newmarket, Race 5, Alw, GBP £40,000, 5.0F, .0000

Mountain Breeze (IRE), F, 2, 2022 by Lope de Vega (Ire)

1st Dam: Lava Flow (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mount Elbrus (GB), by Barathea (Ire)
3rd Dam: El Jazirah (GB), by Kris (GB)

Owner: Godolphin (IRE)
Breeder: Godolphin (IRE)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Sunday's five-furlong Tattersalls ?40,000 EBF Fillies' Novice S. at Newmarket looked by far the most intriguing 2-year-old race staged in this country so far in 2024 and the outcome did not disappoint as Godolphin's Charlie Appleby-trained Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}-Lava Flow {Ire}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) justified 7-4 favouritism to earn TDN Rising Star status. A half-sister to her stable's juvenile champion Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal), the chestnut who had only turned two at the start of the month broke smartly and had an ideal target ahead in the Karl Burke-trained River Seine (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}).

Subduing that daughter of the celebrity Indian Ink (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) at the furlong pole, she drew away with relish up the rising ground to score impressively by 2 3/4 lengths. There was a head back to the Hannon runner Miss Collada (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) in a race that will need close monitoring as Royal Ascot nears. "She is a very straightforward and professional filly and pulled away from them, which is nice to see," William Buick said. "I think she wants six now, so that's where her immediate future lies and I'd expect her to get further too."

Appleby added, "We came here with plenty of confidence, as her homework had been good and we were hoping that she'd do what she did. Will said it was her class that got her through, as she hated every bit of the track. He just held on to her and he said once he levelled off she was always going to pick up and she did that well. She's probably just booked her ticket to Ascot, we're looking towards the [six-furlong G3] Albany and I might give her another spin beforehand, just for a bit of experience more than anything."