bet365 Mile |
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| Group 2, Sandown 15:00 £115,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1  |
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1 Lights On 17/2
2 Mutasaabeq 85/40
3 Alcohol Free 7/4F
6 ran Distances: nk, 1¾l, nk
Time: 1m 45.63s (slow by 4.73s)
Lights On stays on strongly to win the @bet365 Mile win for @CPStudOfficial, Ryan Moore & Sir Michael Stoute @Sandownpark @SuzieMol pic.twitter.com/esC9VLxKKj https://t.co/gXkbu1BPMV via @RacingBetter
— RacingBetter (@RacingBetter) April 22, 2022
Six runners went to post for the Group Two bet365 Mile, with much of the pre-race attention focused on triple Group One-winning filly Alcohol Free and the recent Thirsk scorer Mutasaabeq.
There was little to choose between the pair in the betting come the off, with Alcohol Free the marginal favourite at 7-4 ahead of Mutasaabeq at 85-40.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Lights On, who won a Listed prize at Pontefract last summer before being beaten in successive Group Threes, was a 17-2 chance in the hands of Ryan Moore.
After racing in midfield for much of the race, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned mare quickened up to grab the lead inside the final furlong and had just enough in the tank to repel Mutasaabeq by a neck.
The runner-up was undoubtedly an unlucky loser, having been stuck behind a wall of horses before powering home once the gap came.
Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson, said: “The pressure was on a little bit. It is terrific. She is a super filly and Ryan gave her a perfect ride and Michael has done a fantastic job at home.
“The ground is obviously a serious factor and a bit of ease in the ground helped. It is nice we kept the filly in training and she has rewarded us.
“Whether she goes for the Lockinge will depend on the ground – she needs a bit of ease. Ryan said she might stay a bit further and might stay 10 furlongs, so races like the Falmouth Stakes or the Sun Chariot will be under consideration.
“We have to wait for the ground – that is the key with her. We have had such a dry spell, you’d hope some rain will come.
bet365 Mile (Group 2)
£115,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good
1 (1) Lights On 5 8-12 Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore 17/2
2 (2) nk Mutasaabeq 4 9-1 Charles Hills Jim Crowley 85/40
3 (6) 1¾ Alcohol Free 4 8-12 Andrew Balding Rob Hornby 7/4F
4 (5) nk Rhoscolyn 4 9-1 David O'Meara Jason Watson 28/1
5 (4) nse Sunray Major 5 9-1 John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori 9/2
6 (3) 3½ Johan 5 9-1 Mick Channon Silvestre De Sousa 12/1
