Glorious Goodwood

2011 Molecombe Stakes

Top Racing Bets
tipping service
provides tips
everyday,
7days a week.

racing news /

Bungle Inthejungle Zips Home in Molecomb Stakes
31/07/12

1 Bungle Inthejungle 14/1
2 Morawij 2/1F
3 Hototo 11/2
NR: Lady Phill, Satsuma
10 ran Distances: hd, 3¾l, ½l
TIME 58.22s (slow by 1.22s)

The Mick Channon-trained Bungle Inthejungle showed great tenacity when headed by Morawij in the bet365 Molecomb Stakes and then getting up again to win the Group Three contest in the colours of breeder Chris Wright at 14/1.

“We fancied him at Ascot last time but he ended up all on his own on the far side,” said Channon. “But we had the draw and a bit going for us today. This had been the target for some time and the other horse got his neck in front but we outbattled him. I’m pleased with that and we’ll probably go for the Flying Childers (Doncaster, September 14).

“You’d think he’d improve with age but he’s by Exceed And Excel and although they are good they are quirky. You don’t know what you’ll get but they all have ability - you just have to curtail their speed.

A delighted Wright, who owns the winner in partnership with William Asprey and his daughter Emily, said: “That’s my first Group winner in England for an awful long time - I can’t remember my last one, it was that long ago! I have had them in America, France and Germany but not for ages here.

“I wasn’t sure that we had won. He is a home-bred, a grandson of the first filly I ever raced, Crime Of Passion. It means the world - there is no feeling like it and it is unbelievable. It’s incredible to have a grandson of that filly win a Group race at Goodwood.”

Wright, who founded Chrysalis Records, added: “He’s named after a song by Jethro Tull, who were almost the first group I signed. I’ve named quite a few horses after songs over the years and I was pleased to get the prize from Henry Kelly, who used to work for me.”

Winning jockey Martin Harley said: “That was very good and this is a very tough horse. They jumped and went very fast early on but you can’t really go fast enough on this lad - he sees the five furlongs out really well.

“He is big horse with plenty of speed. I couldn’t believe that the other horse was able to take us along for a bit but that probably helped us - when he went half a length up, it helped my horse battle.

“I didn’t think that we were going to peg Neil [Callan, rider of Morawij] back but, when I got inside the final half-furlong, I thought that I was going to get him.

“He is tough and, once they have their heart in the right place, it helps.”

Bet365 Molecomb Stakes
£40,000 added, 2yo only, 5f, Class 1
10 runners
Going: Good

MORAWIJ ALMOST THWARTS JUNGLE PATH TO VICTORY

A fast-and-furious race deserves a gripping finish, and that was the treat for racegoers watching the bet365 Molecomb Stakes for two-year-olds.

After five furlongs just a head separated the first two, with 14/1 chance Bungle Inthejungle pocketing the spoils from 2/1 favourite Morawij. A further three and three-quarter lengths back was third-placed Hototo.

Morawij is trained by Roger Varian, who said: “It’s a bit disappointing not to win but I don’t believe the horse did much wrong and I feel he’s still improving. He’s a very powerful horse.

“He could well go back up in trip and race over six furlongs next in the Gimcrack Stakes [August 24] - it’s a flat, easy, fast six at York, and that could well suit him. That race will certainly be under consideration.”

The Gimcrack Stakes or the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at York are possible targets for Hototo, said trainer Kevin Ryan. He said: “I’m delighted with him - he stripped a lot sharper today than he did at Newbury and the ground suited him, but he just didn’t come down the hill as well he might. He was all at sea on that part of the course, and at the furlong pole you would have thought he would be fifth or sixth, but when he hit the rising ground he found his legs again.

“He stayed on really well but the race had gone - at this track if you’re not within a half length or neck when it matters you have no chance.

“He’ll probably run in one of the two York races. We did feel that after today we would step up to six, and with hindsight I probably should have had him in the [Audi-sponsored] Richmond Stakes [on Thursday] over six furlongs. He’s been a wonderful horse who loves going racing and is very easy to train.”