A Scottish and Welsh Double!
Tue 01 Aug 2023
WINNER 67 OF 2023: RED ZONE HERO, trained by Michael Bell and ridden by Hollie Doyle: 'The EBF Maiden Stakes' over 5.5f at Ayr.
2nd in a 5f Yarmouth Maiden on July 19th, this was his third start and over 1/2 a furlong further and on a softer surface than he had encountered before. He was the hot favourite so we hoped all was in his favour!
Drawn toward the rail on the stands side, he started well, taking a keen hold just in behind the leader. Moving into the lead 2f out, when Hollie asked him to quicken, he wandered around inside the final furlong, but kept on well, to win comfortably by 2 and a 1/4 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/456540-ayr/31-Jul-2023/1430
Timeform rated it as a career best 83+ saying: "Confirmed promise of last run, looking well suited by the intermediate trip as he got off the mark; pressed leader, travelled well, led under 2f out, wandered, ridden out.”
Hollie said in her Racing TV interview: "He showed that he stlll has a lot to learn in the final furlong, but still managed to pull away and should get further. The long journey here was worth it!”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385591070/x1-red-zone-hero
Read the Racing Post story, here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/we-have-a-few-live-bullets-michael-bell-eyes-more-success-as-red-zone-hero-keeps-winners-flowing-a3gaL6g3uWyG/
Syndicate manager Tim says: "We sent him a long way from home and he made the trip very worthwhile! He pulled nicely clear, doing his best work at the end and he will now get his mark. so we can plan from there. Congratulations to his owners, he is a handsome colt, who won like that whilst still being green, so plenty to look forward to with him.”
WINNER 68 OF 2023: MAMBO BEAT, trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Rossa Ryan: 'The Support Your On Course Bookmaker Handicap' over 1m 2f at Ffos Las.
Slowly away, he was in rear for about a furlong, making up a little ground, to be in touch. In the home straight, Rossa still hadn't moved as others came under pressure. Making headway from over 3f out, he moved up to lead over 1f out and kept on well inside the final furlong, to win going away by 2 and a 1/2 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Ffos-Las/31-July-2023/2042
Timeform rated it as a career best 78, saying: "Stepped up no end on his comeback run, an outcome hard to predict beforehand but not a fluke; awkward leaving stalls, settled in touch, tackled leader 2f out, edged ahead approaching final 1f, responded well.”
Rossa said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He made me work, but he did it well. He knows how to win now and the softer the ground the better for him, as he can pick up through it.”
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well, that was so well deserved for the horse and for his owners, as they have been very patient through his niggling problems. The soft ground is the key to him, he travels in that and grinds it out. We should be able to have a little bit of fun in the Autumn with him with conditions in his favour but he is now a winner and I hope that was an enjoyable watch for everyone involved in him. Full marks to Rossa on his treble too!”