3 minute read

Powerful Glory produced a power-packed finish to get up late in the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

An impressive five-and-a-half length winner on debut at Pontefract last month, Richard Fahey's charge was sent off a 5/2 chance to make it two from two now stepping up to Group 2 company.

With the ground changed to heavy following a deluge of rain this morning, his task was made somewhat easier by the withdrawals of the well-fancied Defence Minister and Shadow Of Light.

However, success still didn't look all that likely as the well-backed 15/8 favourite Brian moved up going nicely on the far side. The picture quickly changed though as the Sylvester Kirk-trained juvenile began to falter and all the while Oisin Orr was beginning to get a tune out of his mount.

Powerful Glory started to devour the ground towards the stands' side and although the rank outsider La Bellota continued to fight all the way to the line, he couldn't match the finishing kick of Richard Fahey's charge, who went on the score by a snug neck.

Billboard Star rallied well for pressure to finish back in third.

Speaking from Ayr, Fahey told ITV Racing: "It's great to see him win, he's a horse I do like but I was very worried about the ground as he's such a good moving horse.

"I had a chat with Sheikh Rashid, but he said give it a go and I thought fair play, there was no pressure so he's been rewarded – the trainer might have bottled it if left to his own devices.

"He's on his holidays now, I did say if he ran that would be it, he's quite a scopey horse, he was prepped for a breeze, so I'd love to leave him alone now.

"We think he's special, so we'll treat him as if he is."

The winning rider added: "He could be top class. He's done nothing wrong yet, it's only the second run of his career. I think he hated the ground today and raw ability got him through it. Daragh Keenan (rider of the runner-up) came upside me at the furlong marker, and I thought he had me, but ability got him through today. I think he is very good and it's onwards and upwards from here."