Racing: Bimbo looks attractive bet

Jockey Oisin Murphy, left, owner Tony Byrne and trainer Joe Tuite celebrate after Litigant won the Betfred Ebor. Picture: PA

Richard Fahey’s charge is hardly prolific with two wins in 11 starts to her name, but she does have a modicum of ability at least, as evidenced by her Pontefract and Newmarket verdicts.

Both those victories came over six furlongs, but Fahey has been experimenting with an extra eighth of a mile in Bimbo’s two most recent outings at Newmarket.

On the first occasion she probably stood little chance against a very useful type in Spangled as she finished fifth while Wee Jean, who had Bimbo back in fifth last time, is no slouch either.

Bimbo was beaten a furlong out on each occasion so a switch back to just shy of six furlongs makes good sense and she has slipped back to a mark of 80, with Jack Garritty’s 3lb claim only further enhancing her chances of getting back on the winning track.

Diatomic has hit the bar on his last three starts but can arrest his frustrating run in the ApolloBet Daily Racing Specials Handicap. He has yet to strike in 17 outings, although his recent consistency bodes well and he looks certain to eventually get his head in front.

Tom Dascombe’s runner has not been hammered by the handicapper for his consistent placed run of results and remains competitive on a mark of 55.

On Saturday, there were euphoric scenes in the winner’s enclosure at York as 33-1 chance Litigant gave trainer Joe Tuite a fairytale victory in the Betfred Ebor on the horse’s first run for him – and first start anywhere for 491 days.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old unshipped jockey Oisin Murphy before the start, but there were no problems in the race itself as he beat Irish raider Wicklow Brave by a length and a half.

Tuite said: “That was superb. It’s a marvellous team performance.

“He’ll go to Ascot or to France for the Prix de Cadran. It will be one or the other. He wants good or easier ground. Soft ground wouldn’t bother me at all.”

Over at Deauville yesterday, there was British success as Karl Burke’s Odeliz sprung a huge surprise in the Prix Jean Romanet under Adrie De Vries.

“I’ve always thought she could win one of these [Group Ones] if everything dropped right one day but it has dropped right in the strangest circumstances as it wasn’t the plan to make the running,” said Burke.

“She’ll be entered in the Prix de l’Opera and at Ascot on Champions day now, too. All options are open.”

Frankie Dettori’s golden summer continued as Shalaa provided him with another Group One win in the Darley Prix Morny. John Gosden’s colt had already impressed in the July Stakes at Newmarket and the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood but this was his first run at the highest level. Dettori said: “He is the best two-year-old I’ve sat on in my life. I am not exaggerating. He has a lot of speed.”