By Peter Moore at Ascot Friday 10th May 2024
The opening day of Ascot’s May meeting was blessed with some welcome warm weather with the feature race of the afternoon the opening event on the card, The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Style Handicap Stakes run over 7f. The race went to Artic Thunder who just got up on the line to win by a short head from Accumulate.
The Andrew Balding trained three year old was ridden by David Probert and got his nose in front on his first outing on turf.
Miss Rascal was hailed by joint trainer Oliver Cole as “pretty special” after a very convincing performance in the 5f fillies stakes.
The daughter of Havana Gold was a major eyecatcher on her debut at Newmarket last month. The filly finished strongly after blowing the start to end up sixth, however this time under Tom Marquand there was no such problems after leading from start to finish to win by three lengths from Naana’s Diamond.
Cole said after her win that she will now go straight to Royal Ascot to take part in the Queen Mary next month.
Oliver’s father Paul won the Queen Mary in 1966 with Dance Parade and few would bet against Miss rascal giving the duo a Grade 2 success next month.
The third race of the afternoon went to the outsider of the six Nakheel. The three year old filly was wearing a tongue tie for the first time and appeared to like the longer trip.
There was yet another close finish in the six furlongs class 3 handicap, with Glenfinnan just holding on to get the better of Billyjoh by a neck under Connor Beasley.
Trainer Chris Dwyer continued his fine form with his fourth winner from ten runners after Jimmy Speaking made it consecutive wins after getting the better of Mashadi by a neck despite a six pound penalty.