WINNERS

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.

Alaskan Gold (Kodiac x Luminous Gold) got of the mark at Carlisle in the Shepherd Chartered Surveyors EBF Novice Stakes for 2yo's over six furlongs. Alaskan beat Welcome Dream a short head, the winning margin does not do Alaskan gold credit. He was drawn 11 which was a hurdle he had to over come, due to the draw and being trap out wide was in front too soon, Meaning Danny Tudhope had to be at his best to mitigate circumstance and at his strongest in the driving finish. Alaskan was still a little green and learning his job. Traveling strongly, looking the winner at every stage before running around in the final furlong. The front pair pulled well clear of the rest of the field and look useful. Alaskan Golds form is very strong not being beaten far by subsequent Group 1 & 2 winning Vandeek on debut, its now  on to stakes races before an exciting 3yo campaign. 

Royal Charter Expert Eye x Royal Charter) Was a welcome winner this afternoon of the Racing TV Fillies Mile Handicap over a mile by a neck from Chealamy. Trained by William Haggas he was settled well by William Buick before having to get the better of a disadvantage of being in the stands side slower group. Royal Charter effectively had to win 2 races. We are hoping our filly can step up to stakes races at some point but we will be guarded by William Haggas. 

Hourless (Time Test x Poly Pomona) opened his account on Handicap Debut this afternoon by winning the At The Races App Market Movers Handicap at Lingfield over 1m1f, albeit of the lowly mark of 47. He was given a fine ride by Hollie Doyle, having to drop in and suffer a little from a wide draw. Before waiting for a gap in the home straight winning by 3/4 of a length from Maramara Star under a strong hands and heels drive from Hollie. We hope the handicapper is kind and we feel there should be more to come from Hourless.

ROBERT (CHOC) THORNTON Racing/Stud manager Lunar Returns With A Win At Lingfield 31/03/23 Lunar Shadow (Sea The Moon x The Pirates Queen) returned this afternoon at Lingfield with a win in the 1m4f BetUK's Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap beating Anisoptera by a Neck. This give us [...]