Nottinghams first meeting of the season was a typical early season flat meeting, where decent form is as common as a pork butchers in Jerusalem.
The winner of the first was the aptly named Mission Impossible. At the half way point of the five furlong sprint any one of half a dozen could have been called the winner. At the furlong marker it seemed as though the favourite Monsieur Reynard was going to oblige favourite backers, but the eventual winner was noting if not brave and he fought bravely under Lee Enstone who was having only his second ride since returning from injury after breaking his ankle in November.
Two year old sprints are often competitive affairs, however the four runner sprint did not really deserve to be called a race as it turned into a procession right from the start. The two with previous form took the first two places, although it was the second favourite She’s A Shaw Thing who beat the odds on favourite Sally’s Dilemma.
The third sprint on the card was another closely fought battle. There was plenty of support for the seven year old Reverence, who has been running in better company, but he only managed a disappointing fifth.
The Richard Hannon trained Sonny Red was sent off the odds on favourite and at one point it looked as though another odds on favourite was going to be turned over. Hoh Hoh Hoh looked to be the winner but another battling finish saw the jolly prevail.
Speaking after the race the trainer’s son Richard Hannon Jnr said that five furlongs is too short for the winner a he will be suited by six in future. He also holds some big race entries.
After three sprints the feature race of the afternoon was run over the near marathon distance of 1¾ miles. Despite the long distance another thrilling finish created more work for Nick Bostock. This time the winning distance was a nose as the Michael Bell trained Gull Wing beat Alan King’s Shipmaster on the bob. If all goes to plan the winner will be off to the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.