WINNERS

Menaggio was on springs round Plumpton today to make it 2/2 over fences. He put an impressive display when winning the Southern Cranes & Access Ltd Novices' Limited Handicap Chase over 2m3f by 11 lengths from Sea Invasion. Menaggio's jumping was exemplary, he was always travelling well behind the leader before mounting a challenged leaving the back straight. The moment Tom Cannon made that move the race was put to bed followed by 2 bold leaps at the 2nd last and last fences. Menaggio will have a little time now before his 3rd run as the horse is only a 5yo and still has making up to do. Alan King will let the horse progress naturally and there is improvement to come as the 2m3f would be his minimum trip, he is an exciting prospect.   

AppleTree's up turn in luck continued this afternoon with Menaggio winning at Plumpton in the 3.55pm Nick Embiricos Memorial Handicap Chase over 2m3f for Alan King ridden By Tom Cannon. He beat War Lord by 9 lengths over a trip that would be his bare minimum. There were only 3 runners in the end but the race was still quite competitive, Menaggio jump very well for his chase debut although he got a little out paced down the hill, Tom did a great job holding him together and not panicking before using his stamina up the home straight. I feel he already had the second horse covered by the time they got to the last although a mistake by War Lord sealed the victory. We will see how Menaggio comes out of the race and what the handicapper does before we make a plan. 

King Al tops off the week with a win at Haydock in the 1.45pm Racing To School British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes over 1m. King Al was a horse put to us by my old boss Alan King after he purchased him at the Guineas breeze up sale last spring. The 2yo son of Al Kazeem is a fine big horse with loads of scope so will male a nice 3yo prospect and he would not be depended on the heavy ground he encountered today. This result really caps the week off for all of us here at AppleTree and there could be more to come with Alaskan Gold running in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot tomorrow. He is a big price but on his best form would not be a million miles away.  

Home Bred Lunar Shadow flew home at Lingfield tonight winning the Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap over 1m4f by 1/2 a length from Aiming High, given a usual strong ride by Hollie Doyle. This was Lunars 7th win of her career and fingers crossed there looks more to come. She won this off a career high mark and was possibly value for more the the winning distance suggested, Lunar got a little bit unbalanced off the bend but once Hollie got her on an even keel she powered out very well to the line. Lunar will probably be kept to the flat this season although she has won over hurdles she seems very much at home on the level.

AppleTree enjoyed a first winner stateside this Saturday night curtesy of Royal Charter (Expert Eye x Queens Charter) winning the Allowance Optional Claiming Race at Santa Anita. The filly was exported last December on the advice of William Haggas as she enjoys quick ground and there are more opportunities to gain black type in the US. The filly travelled extremely well and although I was slightly worried she had done too much in the early stages when unleashed by Frankie turning in she won by 2 length going away.  The evening was made a little more special being part of a Frankie Dettori 6 timer and the exposure that brings.

Never Better (No Nay Never x Just Gorgeous) was a welcome winner for AppleTree stud on Saturday night  at Kempton park after a run of 2nds lately. Never Better won the Try Unibet's Improved Bet Builder Novice Stakes over 7 furlongs on his second start. Bought at Arqana last spring he has been a slow burner but looks worth the wait, Never Better was on the right side of a photo finish when beating Asinara by a short head under a strong ride from Jack Mitchel. Trained by Roger Varian, he is a big roar colt and looks sure to improve with time and should get further.