Belle Stars
Sat 19 Aug 2023
WINNER 74 OF 2023: LEXINGTON BELLE, trained by Alice Haynes and ridden by Christian Howarth (-5): The 'Download The At The Races App Nursery' over 1m 1/2f at Wolverhampton.
An impressive winner 7 days ago, here she had the 6lb penalty and the widest draw to tackle, as well as going up in trip. The market wasn't too concerned, as she was 1/3 favourite!
Making a good start she was prominent, but having to get across from the outside stall, ended up chasing the leader, who broke well from stall 2. Sitting in second after 2f and on the outer, the two of them had a sustained duel upfront. As they came around the home bend, it was clear nothing else was going to get into the race and they continued their duel to the line but she battled well and led close home, winning by a head, with a massive 6 lengths back to the rest.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Wolverhampton/18-August-2023/1415
Timeform rated it as a t74 performance, saying: "Looked thrown-in under a 6-lb penalty after 7 days off but was forced to grind it out up in trip in order to overcome an improved rival; chased leader, challenged from 2f out, edged ahead dying strides.”
Christian said in his Sky Sports Racing interview with Matt Chapman: "I was always comfortable with the pace we were going and it was nice to get the lead and for her to have some company, so it worked out perfectly. She felt very raw still, looking around in the home straight and I think when she matures, she will be even better.”
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Congratulations to her owners on her back to back wins - she got the job done and she pulled well clear of the field, with the runner up. Just as effective over this trip as she was over 7 furlongs. She is in at York with her 6lb penalty, on Thursday in the Class 2 £100,000 nursery over 7f, so we'll wait to see what the field looks like and how she is in the next few days and take it from there. Well done to Christian for his judgement and thanks to Alice for another winner in our silks."