Jonquil put himself in the frame for a Classic tilt with an authoritative display in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
So impressive on his Sandown debut for Sir Michael Stoute as a two-year-old, it was then disappointing when he was beaten almost 10 lengths on his only other outing in Listed company.
Moved to Andrew Balding following Stoute’s retirement, he was sent off at 8-1 in what looked a strong trial on paper.
Al Qudra tried to make all for William Buick, but he was a third Charlie Appleby runner on the day to run below market expectations and while Chancellor briefly threatened to get involved, it soon became apparent the race would be decided between two.
Oisin Murphy was still sat fairly still on Jonquil, but Brian Meehan’s Coventry winner Rashabar proved a tough nut to crack.
There was little between them a furlong out until Jonquil pulled a length and a half clear by the line. Joseph O’Brien’s Saracen caught the eye running on into third.
Balding said: “I’m delighted and I thought he picked up really well to win there. He looked a smart horse for Sir Michael last year on debut and things didn’t quite go to plan second time. I think everyone connected with the horse previously was sure that Doncaster run was just a blip and they always had a very high opinion of him.
“We were thrilled when we were told he was coming to us and we’ve had plenty of time with him and his work has been great. He arrived at Kingsclere before Christmas so it’s been a while and he’s done plenty of work.
“We’re thrilled to win a race like this and it looks like a mile will suit him. He’s settled through the race, hit the line strong and I couldn’t be happier.
“He’s a very well-balanced horse and I wouldn’t have thought Newmarket would be a problem if we decide to go there.
“We’ll wait to see what next week’s trials bring and he’s in the English and French Guineas. Anything is possible and we will try a mile at some stage, but the Guineas is not too far away so we’ll just see how he comes out of it and what happens next week.”
Murphy said: “His work has been excellent and Ryan Moore really liked him last year, it is exactly what we hoped for.
“He’s a very fast horse and if he gets a mile it will be exciting. I would imagine he will go for a Guineas if he’s healthy and I think we have just seen a really good horse. Rashabar is a really good horse in second and he cruised up to him. It’s only his third start and you have to be pleased.
“He’s the perfect specimen for the modern racehorse and if you think of the likes of Auguste Rodin and all those champions, they’re not overly big but this lad is big enough.
“He’s different to Cosmic Year and he might just be a bit faster, but this lad has that little bit more experience. Let’s hope they carry on the way they have started this year.”
Meehan suggested a trip to Newmarket for the 2000 Guineas could be in store for runner-up Rashabar.
He added: “I’m very happy and that’s what we came here to do and he has needed that run a little bit. Sean (Levey) said he was just doing all the things he wouldn’t have necessarily wanted to do – there was no real pace so we had to get on and go forward.
“There is massive improvement to come and I’ve been saying that all week. Today was a trial and now Newmarket (for the 2000 Guineas) is high on the list, there should be a good 20 per cent improvement to come.
“I’m just glad to get that out of the way because he’s weighed in there last night at 508kg, which is a huge amount of weight so he would have needed it and he’s gone and run really well.
“We have to see how he comes out of the race and the ground will be a factor. I’ll talk it over with Sean next week and see what we think, but I’m very happy.
“He’s been placed in two Grade Ones and one of those is on ground he doesn’t like and he’s going to be a great horse this year.”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Referees missed foul on Luka Doncic late in Lakers’ Game 4 loss, NBA confirms
<!--> Referees missed the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic getting fouled with 33 seconds left in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA said Monday.The Lakers were down 114-113 in Sunday's game when Doncic got tripped up — it appeared to be inadvertent — by Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels near midcourt. Doncic retained possession as he hit the floor and the Lakers called time-out to avoid an 8-second violation.That was one of two uncalled fouls that came late in one-point playoff games on Sunday, the other being New York’s Josh Hart fouling Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. on a 3-point try as time expired in Game 4 of that series. Hardaway didn't get free throws and the Knicks won that game 94-93, with the NBA saying shortly after that game that Hardaway indeed was fouled."McDaniels ... steps […]
Liverpool make history, Lisa Carlin chats NWSL’s new 2nd division & Wrexham earn promotion AGAIN!
Subscribe to The CooligansChristian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to Liverpool clinching their 20th English league title, tied for the most of all-time. How did Arne Slot get it all so right in his first season at the helm?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChristian and Alexis chat with CBS Sports’ Lisa Carlin about NWSL adding a 2nd division and why it might not be a good idea. They also react to Eni Aluko’s recent comments about Ian Wright and recap an entertaining Women’s Champions League semi-finals.Later, Christian and Alexis break down Wrexham’s third promotion in a row. The boys then argue whether it could be hard for the club to earn the ultimate promotion to the Premier League.(6:00) - Liverpool clinch 20th league title(16:00) - Barcelona win Copa Del Rey(30:30) - Lisa Carlin joins the show(38:00) - NWSL to introduce 2nd division in 2026AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement(44:45) - […]
Mets’ Brandon Nimmo ties franchise record with 9 RBIs
WASHINGTON — In the New York Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, outfielder Brandon Nimmo tied the franchise’s single-game record with nine RBIs.Nimmo went 4-for-5 with two home runs — a grand slam and a three-run home run — and four runs.For his career, it was Nimmo’s second grand slam and his seventh game with multiple home runs.AdvertisementIn 2008, Carlos Delgado had nine RBIs in a game against the New York Yankees.Nimmo became the 13th player in MLB history to record four hits, four runs and nine RBIs in a game. 9 RBI GAME FOR BRANDON NIMMO!!! He ties a #Mets franchise record! pic.twitter.com/gjYSRn5wWC — New York Mets (@Mets) April 28, 2025Indeed, Nimmo broke out of a major slump with the best offensive game of his career.Over his previous 12 games, Nimmo was hitting just 149. Over his […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Steelers reach 1-year deal with WR Robert Woods amid Aaron Rodgers, QB search
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a new target for whoever their quarterback will be this next season.The Steelers struck a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll join an already solid wide receivers room in Pittsburgh that includes both George Pickens and DK Metcalf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoods had 203 receiving yards and didn’t score last season, his second with the Texans. Woods will now enter his 13th season in the league this fall, and the Steelers will mark his fifth NFL team. The Buffalo Bills first selected Woods with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC, and then he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans before landing in Houston.Woods won’t be the […]
Related
Referees missed foul on Luka Doncic late in Lakers’ Game 4 loss, NBA confirms
<!--> Referees missed the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic getting fouled with 33 seconds left in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA said Monday.The Lakers were down 114-113 in Sunday's game when Doncic got tripped up — it appeared to be inadvertent — by Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels near midcourt. Doncic retained possession as he hit the floor and the Lakers called time-out to avoid an 8-second violation.That was one of two uncalled fouls that came late in one-point playoff games on Sunday, the other being New York’s Josh Hart fouling Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. on a 3-point try as time expired in Game 4 of that series. Hardaway didn't get free throws and the Knicks won that game 94-93, with the NBA saying shortly after that game that Hardaway indeed was fouled."McDaniels ... steps […]
Liverpool make history, Lisa Carlin chats NWSL’s new 2nd division & Wrexham earn promotion AGAIN!
Subscribe to The CooligansChristian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to Liverpool clinching their 20th English league title, tied for the most of all-time. How did Arne Slot get it all so right in his first season at the helm?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChristian and Alexis chat with CBS Sports’ Lisa Carlin about NWSL adding a 2nd division and why it might not be a good idea. They also react to Eni Aluko’s recent comments about Ian Wright and recap an entertaining Women’s Champions League semi-finals.Later, Christian and Alexis break down Wrexham’s third promotion in a row. The boys then argue whether it could be hard for the club to earn the ultimate promotion to the Premier League.(6:00) - Liverpool clinch 20th league title(16:00) - Barcelona win Copa Del Rey(30:30) - Lisa Carlin joins the show(38:00) - NWSL to introduce 2nd division in 2026AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement(44:45) - […]
Mets’ Brandon Nimmo ties franchise record with 9 RBIs
WASHINGTON — In the New York Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, outfielder Brandon Nimmo tied the franchise’s single-game record with nine RBIs.Nimmo went 4-for-5 with two home runs — a grand slam and a three-run home run — and four runs.For his career, it was Nimmo’s second grand slam and his seventh game with multiple home runs.AdvertisementIn 2008, Carlos Delgado had nine RBIs in a game against the New York Yankees.Nimmo became the 13th player in MLB history to record four hits, four runs and nine RBIs in a game. 9 RBI GAME FOR BRANDON NIMMO!!! He ties a #Mets franchise record! pic.twitter.com/gjYSRn5wWC — New York Mets (@Mets) April 28, 2025Indeed, Nimmo broke out of a major slump with the best offensive game of his career.Over his previous 12 games, Nimmo was hitting just 149. Over his […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing black outfit
Alisha Debora Lehmann is a forward sensation that's one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, with 16.5 million followers on Instagram and 11.8 million on TikTok.The Juventus winger has appeared on 16 games with the Vecchia Signora, scoring twice, giving one assist, and recording six shots on target. A shining star! Soccer most beautiful player Alisha Lehmann turns heads with hypnotizing outfitShe's also made 52 appearances with Switzerland, two of which came at the 2023 Women's World Cup, since making her international debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland on April 5th, 2018. Without a doubt, the 26-year-old footballer has a great future ahead of herself.Turns heads with hypnotizing black outfitAlisha Lehmann had fans gushing again on Sunday with her latest outfit that she shared with her millions of fans. The Swiss superstar rocked a Diesel […]
Steelers reach 1-year deal with WR Robert Woods amid Aaron Rodgers, QB search
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a new target for whoever their quarterback will be this next season.The Steelers struck a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll join an already solid wide receivers room in Pittsburgh that includes both George Pickens and DK Metcalf, who was traded to Pittsburgh in March.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoods had 203 receiving yards and didn’t score last season, his second with the Texans. Woods will now enter his 13th season in the league this fall, and the Steelers will mark his fifth NFL team. The Buffalo Bills first selected Woods with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of USC, and then he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans before landing in Houston.Woods won’t be the […]
Be the first to leave a comment