The record-breaking rider opened her Group-race account aboard Dame Malliot in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket in July and doubled her tally with Extra Elusive in last month’s Rose of Lancaster at Haydock.
Having chased home Extra Elusive on Merseyside a fortnight ago, the Mick Channon-trained Certain Lad was a 10-1 shot for his latest assignment and came home strongly in the last of the nine furlongs to claim the Group Three prize by half a length from Epic Hero.
Lord Glitters, winner of the race in 2018 and the 100-30 favourite to regain his crown, finished third.
CERTAIN LAD lands the Group 3 @SkyBet & @symphonygroup Strensall Stakes in good style, getting the better Epic Hero in the hands of @HollieDoyle1 for trainer @Mick_Channon 👏 #EborAtHome pic.twitter.com/35CWMd6BeB
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) August 22, 2020
Doyle said: “He gave me a great ride. We went a nice gallop today and the further I was going the better.
“He hit a bit of a flat spot, but once I got daylight he was tough. He’s a well-travelled horse, to say the least.
“Mr Channon has done a great job with this horse. He can be quite highly strung, but today the lid was fully on.”
Channon was not present, but said via telephone: “He deserved that as he’s been knocking on the door of late. I’m delighted to see him get his head in front again.
“He’s been on the go a while, having been to Dubai earlier in the year, but he’s so tough.
“Any track and any ground – it doesn’t make any difference to him.”
Joint-trainer Ed Crisford was delighted with the performance of the runner-up Epic Hero, who had been off the track since winning at Meydan in February.
Crisford said: “He ran a really nice race. He was treading water in the last furlong, but he settled well and picked up nicely.
“He was in front a long time. He’s a nice horse and hopefully he can progress from there.”
There was a sad postscript to the race, after it was confirmed the William Haggas-trained Miss O Connor had suffered a fatal injury.
The five-year-old mare had led under Tom Marquand, but faltered two out before being pulled up and quickly dismounted.
]]>12.15 Cheltenham : Redford Road @ 3/1 & BFSP 5th at 2/1 & 3.18 (Led until not fluent 3 out, soon led again, headed off last bend and one pace after)
Thursday's pick runs in the...
Before I post the daily selection, just a quick reminder of how I operate the service. Generally, I'll identify and share the selection in the evening before the following day's race and I then add a detailed write-up later on that night/next morning.
Those happy to take the early price on trust can do so, whilst some might prefer to wait for my reasoning. As I fit the early service in around my family life, I can't give an exact timing on the posts, so I suggest you follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook for instant notifications of a published pick.
Who?
Falcon Cliffs @ 10/3 or BFSP
...in a 9-runner, Class 6 A/W handicap for 4yo+ over 1m6f on Standard Polytrack worth £2,846 to the winner...
Why?...
This 6 yr old Mare is seeking a hat-trick today after wins here at Chelmsford eight weeks ago and then at Wolverhampton three weeks back.
Jockey Hollie Doyle was on board last time and retains the ride today, hoping to maintain her own good form that has seen her ride 5 winners from 24 (20.8% SR) over the last fortnight and she'll also be hoping to land another winner for trainer Tony Carroll for whom she was 5 from 17 (29.4% SR) for 7.25pts (+42.6% ROI) in 2019, including of relevance today...
...whilst over the last two years Tony's sub-12/1 A/W handicappers racing over 1m3f to 1m6f are 10 from 44 (22.7% SR) for 43.3pts (+98.4% ROI), from which...
...pointing towards...a 1pt win bet on Falcon Cliffs @ 10/3 or BFSP as was available from BetVictor, Hills & Spreadex at 8.30am on Thursday (was 7/2 at 9.10am!), but do take BOG where possible. To see what your preferred bookie is quoting...
...click here for the betting on the 6.00 Chelmsford
Don't forget, we offer a full interactive racecard service every day!
REMINDER: THERE IS NO STAT OF THE DAY ON SUNDAYS
P.S. all P/L returns quoted in the stats above are to Betfair SP, as I NEVER bet to ISP and neither should you. I always use BOG bookies for SotD, wherever possible, but I use BFSP for the stats as it is the nearest approximation I can give, so I actually expect to beat the returns I use to support my picks. If that's unclear, please ask!
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