Turf Talk: Foundation lays solid claim for winning return to action at Newmarket

It will be a major surprise if Foundation cannot make a winning return to action in the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes at Newmarket.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Apr 2016, 05:00 BST
Frankie Dettori on Foundation finishing third in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October.Frankie Dettori on Foundation finishing third in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October.
Frankie Dettori on Foundation finishing third in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October.

John Gosden’s charge was one of the juvenile stars of last season, although when his moment in the spotlight came in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, he fluffed his lines and had to settle for place money. He was sent off an odds-on favourite on Town Moor last October, having progressed from a comfortable Haydock maiden win to Listed glory at the Merseyside track before going on to land the Royal Lodge at Newmarket.

Foundation thoroughly impressed with his success at Headquarters and the Doncaster Group One was seen as something of a penalty kick by many for the son of Zoffany. However, Frankie Dettori could not find a clear path through with two furlongs to run and again met trouble in the final furlong before staying on for a four-length third behind Marcel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gosden had outlined worries about the easy ground before the off and conditions could again be on the softer side here.

Magical Memory made astonishing strides from handicapper to Group One contender last term and he can pick up where he left off in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes.

The four-year-old lined up in a handicap at this meeting last April, finishing fourth off a perch of 87, but his season took a significant upturn from his Leicester win in May.

While he was beaten in a competitive event at York by future Group One winner Twilight Son, Magical Memory landed a Newmarket handicap before going on to a big payday in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Charlie Hills then stepped him up to Group One company in the Haydock Sprint Cup and while Twilight Son again proved too good, Magical Memory was beaten just three-quarters of a length to end the campaign on a mark of 114.

LEE SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

CHELMSFORD: 6.10 Linguist, 6.40 Burcan, 7.10 False Id, 7.40 Bournemouth Belle, 8.10 Summer Isles, 8.40 Bracken Brae, 9.10 Silver Bid.

CHELTENHAM: 1.50 The Organist, 2.25 Bon Chic, 3.00 Pass The Time, 3.35 Present View, 4.10 Sir Ivan, 4.45 Solstice Son, 5.20 River Dun.

NEWMARKET: 2.10 Glittering, 2.45 Lexington Sky, 3.20 Landofhopeandglory (treble), 3.55 Magical Memory (next best), 4.30 FOUNDATION (NAP), 5.05 Supersta, 5.40 Monteverdi.

RIPON: 2.00 Coolfitch, 2.35 Mime Dance, 3.10 Felix De Vega, 3.45 Cape Love, 4.20 Ladweb, 4.55 Tribesman, 5.30 Victory Bond.