White and blue silks Joe Doyle wins on Make A Challenge© Photo Healy Racing
Make A Challenge (7/4 out to 11/4 favourite) completed a day trainer Denis Hogan won’t forget in a hurry, triumphing in the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes at Naas.
Earlier Hogan’s stable star Sceptical looked a winner before eventually near the finish relegated to a close third in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Sceptical could easily yet sample top level success, but in any case Make A Challenge is a serious back-up for his neighbouring speedster.
Here with Joe Doyle up, the Invincible Spirit gelding dwelt slightly before soon settling behind the leaders.
Ridden and making progress the market-leader edged left a furlong and a half out.
Second a furlong out, the winner led in the final hundred and fifty yards, keeping on strongly in the closing stages to win by two and a half lengths.
After interference the placings of the second and third were reversed, Rapid Reaction promoted and Flash Gordon demoted.
“It’s good to see the horse back. We brought him to Doha and he didn’t have much of a winter break. He’d no luck out there — he was drawn wide and got shoved off the bend and the ground was too hard. We were just thankful to get him home in one piece," said Hogan.
“He was working with Sceptical a few weeks ago. He probably got disappointed when Sceptical edged him out once or twice. It wasn’t good for his head so we worked him with some lesser types and got his confidence back up.
“There is a fair chance he could go for the Greenlands next weekend. There are plenty of options and keeping him and Sceptical apart is our biggest problem.
“I think five is his best trip. Like Sceptical today he just got gobbled up late on in the Group 1 at Ascot last October. Joe gets on great with him and Joey Sheridan gets on great with Sceptical. They might meet one day but for the moment we’ll try and keep them apart.
“We ran Sceptical today as we felt he needed the extra few days (after his run at Naas). He ran his heart out. Frankie (Dettori) was critical of himself for committing too soon but I wasn’t. I thought we just got outstayed on the day on dead ground by hardened campaigners which we are not. I think we can come forward again from that.
“We are looking at the July Cup and long term the Flying Five for both of them. Frankie said on better ground and conserving a bit more energy that six would be no problem. There is also the Nunthorpe and I would be favouring five with Make A Challenge.
“I’m proud of both horses and delighted the way they are going.”
S. Foley, rider of Flash Gordon trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ducked across the track about one furlong from the finish.
K.J. Manning, rider of Southern Horse (ARG) trained by J. S. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount received interference about one furlong from the finish.
A.J. Slattery, rider of Rapid Reaction trained by J.F.Grogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got a bump when Flash Gordon ducked .
The Stewards enquired into possible interference just over one furlong from the finish involving Flash Gordon, ridden by S. Foley, placed second, Southern Horse (ARG), ridden by K.J. Manning, placed fifth and Rapid Reaction, ridden by A.J. Slattery, placed third, where it appeared that both Southern Horse (ARG) and Rapid Reaction received interference when Flash Gordon ducked left. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Flash Gordon had improved his placing in relation to Rapid Reaction when causing her interference and consequently reversed the placings of these two horses with the result now to read; First - Make A Challenge, Second - Rapid Reaction, Third - Flash Gordon. The Stewards were of the opinion that the interference was accidental in nature and took no further action.
(AM & EM)
