Universal Order edges out Archer rivals

Graham Clark
June 28, 2020 6:30 pm

Newmarket win for Simcock runner.

Universal Order gave trainer David Simcock a timely boost when making a triumphant start to the British season in the Betway Fred Archer Stakes.

Anchored at the rear of the field for much of the Listed race, the gelded son of Universal responded well to pressure to add to his Meydan victory earlier in the year.

Although the first off the bridle, Universal Order stayed on well during the closing stages to get up almost on the line and deny the rallying El Misk by a short-head.

Simcock said of the 7-1 winner: “It’s nice. He had to improve there with the 3lb penalty. He had a good blow as well afterwards.

“The yard has been quiet so we will take that one.”

Following the race the Newmarket handler earmarked the Group Three Glorious Stakes at Goodwood as the next port of call for the four-year-old.

Simcock added: “I’d say he will go to Goodwood now for the Glorious Stakes and then go from there.

“It would be lovely to think he could be another Desert Encounter. He has been gelded and he has grown up since being gelded. He is a horse to have fun with.”

Desert Icon (11-8) completed an across-the-card treble for trainer William Haggas with an authoritative eight-and-a-half length success in the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap.

Maureen Haggas, wife of the winning trainer, said: “He is a funny old boy. He has got ability, it is just about getting the right conditions. He likes fast ground and he stays this trip (mile and a quarter) well. I just think he needs the right conditions and needs to be in a good mood.

“After winning by over eight lengths, we will probably forced into running him in something like a John Smith’s Cup.”

Haggas was also on the mark with Baarrij at Windsor and King Fairy at Hamilton.

Lexington Dash continued to reap the rewards of a wind operation as he registered his second win at the course in the space of eight days with a clear-cut three-and-three-quarter-length victory in the Betway Handicap.

Thore Hammer-Hansen, rider of the Richard Hannon-trained 11-4 shot, said: “He jumped really well and I just thought I would rather tuck him for a bit of cover as they did go quite quick. He was always travelling strongly and I knew he was going to win.

“He has been a lot better since the wind operation and there should be more to come.”

Fresh from teaming up for a four-timer at the track on Saturday, trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick struck again as Eastern World (8-13) took the Betway Maiden Stakes by two lengths to give the pair a winner with their only runner on the card.

Appleby said: “The ground was quick enough out there for him. A step up in trip will hopefully see more improvement again.

“If he comes out of this well, we will look at a mile-and-a-quarter handicap somewhere along the line.”

Georgia Dobie added a Rowley Mile winner to her record as the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Gin Palace (8-1) followed up his last-time-out victory at Newbury when prevailing by neck in the Betway Casino Handicap.

Dobie said: “He is very genuine and he goes through small gaps. He will go up a few for that, but he is still lightly raced.

“It got a bit tight on the rail and I thought I might get beat, but once I found room I thought he might just get there.”