Fannaan – one to keep an eye on?
NEWBURY endured three inches of rain and violent thunderstorms overnight and the going changed from Good to Firm to Heavy after a 7.30am inspection but the meeting went ahead and Solario Racing’s guests enjoyed a competitive afternoon’s racing despite over 40 withdrawals!
The first day of the Dubai Duty Free weekend was in danger of being scuppered by the weather but fortunately the meeting went ahead and in the end the sun came out and the rain went away. Solario Racing had a private table in The Racegoers’ Restaurant and the guests were racing enthusiasts who had previously bid for a Solario Racing five-star champagne racing experience at various charity fund-raising events.
The charities involved comprised Rennie Grove House, The Rugby Players’ Association Restart Rugby and The Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted. The hospitality package included Grandstand badges, a champagne reception, a three-course lunch with wine and…the Solario Racing tipster competition!
Solario Racing guests
Despite the 44 withdrawals, there was a competitive card with 49 runners in eight races, the highlight being the Listed Dubai Duty Free Stakes which attracted a classy field of eight, six of whom were rated over 100.
The progressive Aclaim won for Martyn Meade and Jamie Spencer by 1 3/4 lengths but the equally interesting horse was runner-up, Fannaan for trainer John Gosden. The 4yo son of Speightstown (sire of Dean Ivory’s star, Tropics) had won two out of three as a juvenile and was a one-time 2000 Guineas hopeful but had been off the track for 517 days. Providing he can avoid the “bounce”, he could be one to keep an eye on.
The Solario Racing Tipster competition was a competitive affair and rather embarrassingly a certain Racing Manager won at the death by one point! (The Hospice of St Francis will benefit from his fluke!)
Solario Racing’s guests, who had travelled from as far afield as Bristol, Yeovil and High Wycombe, were a sporting lot and fortunately did not give yours truly too much grief!….More importantly, they thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon.
