Dubious Affair caps memorable day for Fellowes

Trainer was on the mark in France and England.

Dubious Affair ensured trainer Charlie Fellowes enjoyed a day to savour both at home and abroad with a tenacious success in the British Stallion Studs EBF/bet365 Fillies’ Handicap at Newbury.

Having struck at Chantilly with Onassis in the Listed Prix de Bagatelle the Newmarket handler celebrated further glory after the Frankel filly defied a 6lb rise for her last time out victory at Doncaster to complete a four-timer.

Demonstrating that stamina is very much her forte, the 9-2 shot appeared to need every yard of the extended one mile and five furlongs trip to wear down Kepala before going on to score by a short-head.

Fellowes, speaking away from the track, said: “It has been a really good day. I thought Onassis was wonderfully impressive in France and I loved the way how Dubious Affair travelled into her race today. I think she has done it the hard way as I think coming from behind was not the easiest thing today.

“We got away with the trip today as she will stay two miles and I now think it is probably time to step her up to that. Everyone thought the rain overnight was a hindrance but I was delighted when I saw it come.

“She will go up into the 90s now and we will now start having to look at black type races for her. She hasn’t won by far so she should not go up too much so we have options.”

There appears to plenty of big days ahead of Pomelo (6-5) who proved a cut above her rivals to run out an authoritative five-length winner on her debut in the Price Promise At bet365 Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Ralph Beckett, the winning trainer, said: “She only started fast work two weeks ago. I never really expected her to come to hand so soon as she is tall, leggy and pretty unfurnished still.

“Her half-sister Desirous – I always thought – was an underachiever. This filly is a much scopier individual and I’m not in a rush with her. Harry (Bentley) felt like he didn’t come out of third gear today.

“I would think maybe something like the Prestige at Goodwood as the medium-term plan. She will get a mile no problem.”

Clive Cox could have unearthed another potential gem for owner Sheikh Sultan in Royal Scimitar (11-1) after the son of Territories struck gold by a neck to make his debut a triumphant one in the bet365 EBF Novice Stakes.

Cox said: “We’ve been pleased with him at home but he would be the same as the rest of them and will take a step forward for the experience so we are delighted. It has not taken us by surprise.

“He was very professional there and you can be no more than delighted with that for a debut run. He is an exciting prospect and I’m delighted Sheikh Sultan has another nice one.

“He has got 10 with us to be precise, with Golden Horde amongst them. We had a nice two-year-old filly called Kohinoor win up at Haydock for him so he has got an exciting bunch coming together.”

Swapping cheekpieces for a first-time visor appeared to have the desired effect on the Ian Williams-trained Reshoun (14-1) who saw out the extended two miles best of them all to take the Marsh Cup by three-quarters of a length.

Jim Crowley was on board and said: “I know the horse well now as I’ve ridden him quite a bit and I just felt trying something different and sticking the visor on would help him and stepping up in trip has helped him as well.”

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