3 minute read

Make You Smile took his record to a perfect two-from-two when coming with a wet sail to get up late in the Group 3 BetVictor Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

A comfortable debut winner over the same course and distance last month, the Hugo Palmer-trained juvenile was sent off a 5/1 chance to take the step up to group company in his stride.

Victory didn't look likely for most of the seven-furlong Group 3 prize, but despite being one of the first horses off the bridle, Make You Smile found plenty in the closing stages to wear down the long-time leader Yargooh, who raced keenly throughout in the hands of Tom Marquand.

The winning margin was a nose, with a further length and a quarter back to the Clive Cox-trained Star Anthem.

"He's a lovely horse," said the Australian-bound jockey Harry Davies when speaking on Sky Sports Racing. "He's never really shown us much at home and I think he surprised us when winning first time out."

"They were similar conditions today but he's a very laid-back type and I think he's done that all on ability. To be honest, in the first half of the race I thought I was beat but once the horses in front of me started to tire, he really motored that last furlong. I think I was the first horse off the bridle, and he was still being educated throughout.

"He has a lot of talent and I'm sure he'll really improve again, but to pick up well on that ground really does take some doing."