Belle is a Beauty
Fri 01 Sep 2023
WINNER 81 OF 2023: LEXINGTON BELLE, trained by Alice Haynes and ridden by Kieran O'Neill: The 'Sixties Icon Standing at Norman Court Stud Nursery Handicap' over 1m at Salisbury.
She has progressed no end with racing and a rapid rise through the handicap ranks has meant some race placement diligence has been required. Running here off 72 she was due to go up to 82 and was marked up as favourite to take this.
She got to the front pretty sharply, but did take a keen hold. Coming inside the 2 furlong marker, Kieran took a look over his shoulder to see if there was a challenge coming. Just needing to be pushed out inside the final furlong, she came away gradually, to win comfortably by 5 and a half lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/461961-salisbury/01-Sep-2023/1740
Timeform rated it as a career best 83 performance, saying: "Sweating beforehand, made the most of a good opportunity, thrown in on the form she showed last week, not needing to improve to gain a third win in her last 4 starts; led, pushed along under 2f out, went clear soon after, eased close home.”
Kieran said after the race: ”The handicapper hasn't really spared her and we had to come here today and she will run off 82 next time she runs. She pings the gates and just wants to run. It has taken a while for her to come to hand and she is going forward now and we hope there is plenty more to come."
See the official photo gallery, here: https://www.francescaaltoft.co.uk/salisbury-1st-september-2023
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Well done (again) to her owners on her scintillating form - pulling clear again. Alice and I will discuss options for her, but for now she can enjoy some time in the paddock. Take a look at her the morning after (below) full of beans!"