Orne claims Horris Hill success from the front

PA Sport Reporters
November 6, 2023 8:21 am

John and Thady Gosden-trained juvenile makes all in Group Three Newmarket contest.

Orne made every yard of the running to win the rescheduled Betfred Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket.

Saved over from an abandoned Newbury card, the Group Three event looked wide open on paper and so it proved in the race.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Orne had made a winning debut at Kempton and was not totally disgraced when upped in class for the Group Three Autumn Stakes.

The winner of that contest, Ancient Wisdom, subsequently came out and won the Group One Futurity Trophy, so the form looked strong, but Orne was still sent off at 10-1.

He proved difficult to settle in the early stages for Robert Havlin but once he did drop the bit, he was allowed an easy lead.

Going into the dip, Havlin stole another length and, despite drifting close home, held off Witness Stand by a length and a quarter.

💨 Not for catching!
🐎Orne back to winning ways today in the @Betfred Horris Hill Stakes @NewmarketRace for John & @thadygosden & Rab Havlin pic.twitter.com/FSSEYIfAVm
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 4, 2023

“It wasn’t the plan to make the running. He went last in, but he was first out. Normally he doesn’t do a stroke when he is in front. I went on a fresh bit of ground, and he found a rhythm,” said Havlin.

“Just towards the end, he got a little bit lonely and ducked left, but he has done it well in the end.

“It wasn’t the plan to go on the far side as I wanted to drop in and get a lead and get there late. When I ended up in front, I could see there was fresh ground there so I thought I might as well go there.

“He didn’t stay the mile in the Autumn Stakes. He travelled good and he handled the ground, but he just didn’t stay. He could get quicker this horse over the winter.”

Regal Jubilee return victorious — Regal Jubilee returns victorious (PA)

The Gosdens will have had to set an early alarm to watch the action from Newmarket at their temporary California base for the Breeders’ Cup but it will have been worthwhile as Regal Jubilee (9-1) gave them a double.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned filly had won a Windsor maiden by a long way last time out and stepped up to Listed company for the British EBF 40th Anniversary Montrose Fillies’ Stakes, but there was rarely any doubt about the result.

Kieran Shoemark weaved his way through stylishly and she powered clear to win by two lengths and earn a 20-1 quote for the 1000 Guineas with Paddy Power.

“I thought when we jumped out of the stalls that she had ruined her chances, but she surprised me as the further we went, the better she was going,” said Shoemark.

“She had to find a lot on the ratings. I know she was very impressive in her novice last time at Windsor, but ultimately I don’t think we beat a whole lot and she was in a good position throughout. She has shown she has taken a huge step forward again.

“She has got that profile where she has now won a Listed race, she can go away for the winter and look at big targets next year.”

William Knight (left) with connections of Checkandchallenge (PA)

William Knight’s Checkandchallenge (6-1) gained a deserved first victory of the season in the Mutasaabeq At The National Stud James Seymour Stakes under Callum Shepherd.

Having run against the likes of Modern Games and Horizon Dore this season, he excelled when fourth behind Big Rock on Champions Day at Ascot last time out.

Brought smoothly into contention on the outside, he then had to be tough to see off the renewed challenge of Pride Of America, who tried to make all.

Knight said: “He has run in some hot races this year and I don’t think he has actually run a bad race in any of them. Dropping back into a Listed race today, it was just nice to get his head back in front.

“I think he will have a well-deserved break now. He is in the Hong Kong Mile, but I think he deserves a nice break.

“There will be plenty of options for him next year. Horses like him can turn up in those Group One races that cut up a bit and pick up a bit of money.

“We might also look at those Group Three and Group Two races in France again next year. I’m just so pleased he has finished on a winning note this year.”