Racing: Deauville glory for Cox’s sprinter

RECKLESS ABANDON swept to Group 1 glory in the Darley Prix Morny when taking his unbeaten record to four at Deauville yesterday.

Clive Cox’s speedy youngster was quickly away, enabling Gerald Mosse to grab the stands side rail and make the running.

The Norfolk Stakes and Prix Robert Papin winner was given an easy lead in front and had plenty left in the tank in the closing stages as he stepped up to six furlongs for the first time. The Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of George Vancouver and Parliament Square finished strongly, but had to settle for second and third place respectively. Sir Prancealot, trained by Richard Hannon, was fourth.

Cox, whose horses are in magnificent form, said: “We’re all over the moon. He’s done it really well and I couldn’t be happier. It’s been a wonderful week and weekend, what with winning the Hungerford with Lethal Force on Saturday – it’s what you dream about.”

On the same card, Snow Fairy made a triumphant return to the track with a game win over Izzi Top in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet. Ed Dunlop’s globetrotting mare had been sidelined since suffering an injury in Japan last November, but she came back in tremendous fashion. Held up towards the rear by Ryan Moore, the five-year-old made her bid in the straight along with the John Gosden-trained Izzi Top. These two got close together before fighting out the finish, but it was Snow Fairy who came out on top.

Galikova was third, with Sir Henry Cecil’s Timepiece fourth.

Meanwhile, Kieren Fallon believes it is just a matter of time before Afsare picks up a big prize after his narrow reverse in the Arlington Million.

The Luca Cumani-trained five-year-old got agitated before the start and having been short of room at one stage ran on strongly to go down by a length and a half to Little Mike.

In contrast to the Cumani runner, the Dale Romans-trained winner enjoyed the run of the race up front.

Fallon said: “If I had broken properly, I could have sat behind. But because he was messing in the gates I didn’t get the start that I wanted. I think it cost me the race.

“In the morning he is as good as gold and I don’t know why he does that. He is tough, though. He is a good horse and there is a big race in him. I think I would have won if I had been closer. It won’t be long before he wins one of these.”

John Gosden’s Colombian dead-heated for third under William Buick. The pair won the race two years ago when teaming up with Debussy.

Crackerjack King was fifth for Marco Botti, with O’Brien’s former Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach in sixth and the Michael Bell-trained Wigmore Hall seventh.

SELECTIONS

Thirsk

2.00 Star Of Rohm

2.30 Done Dreaming

3.00 Dispol Grand

3.30 Silver Tigress

4.00 My Single Malt

4.30 Fayr Fall

5.00 Sophie’s Beau

Wolverhampton

2.20 Multisure

2.50 Angels Calling

3.20 Veturia

3.50 Majestic Zafeen

4.20 Foot Tapper

4.50 July Days

5.20 The Tiger

5.50 Fleur De La Vie

Stratford

2.10 Molly Oscar

2.40 Hes Our Lad

3.10 Generous Kenny

3.40 Premier Dane

4.10 Next Exit

4.40 Motou

5.10 Don’t Mistake Me

Kempton

6.20 Stripped Bear

6.50 Revered Citizen

7.20 My Mate Jake

7.50 Moment In The Sun

8.20 Raven’s Tower

8.50 Norfolk Sky

9.20 Diamond Belle

Windsor

5.30 Jewelled

6.00 Purcell

6.30 Into The Wind

7.00 Burke’s Rock

7.30 Tonle Sap

8.00 Silken Express (nap)