Nottingham report: Marbaan could be Superlative bound

Charlie Fellowes has earmarked the bet365 Superlative Stakes at the Moet & Chandon July Festival as a potential target for Marbaan, who the trainer believes is a Group horse in the making following his stylish success at Nottingham this afternoon.

The son of Oasis Dream, a half-brother to Group Three winner Convergence, built on an encouraging debut third at Newbury 27 days ago when proving a class above his rivals in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (6f) to set up a potential tilt at the seven furlong Group Two contest on Saturday 9th July.

Racing prominently throughout in the hands of Jamie Spencer the 11-10 Favourite drew steadily clear of his rivals once sent on before crossing the line five lengths clear of runner-up Mutaany.

Fellowes said: “He is a really good looking horse. I thought a lot of him before his debut. I liked his debut run and he had taken a nice step forward since then.

“We deliberately spaced out his races specifically so we didn’t get tempted to run at Royal Ascot and that has paid off today.

“He had the red hood on going down as he can be a bit jig joggy at home and we wanted to make sure he stayed as calm as possible.

“The thing that struck me most today was how straightforward he was. He got into a good rhythm and he was happy doing his own work and he stretched clear when asked to go.

“Whether we step him up to seven furlongs in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket or wait until Goodwood (Vintage Stakes) - we will decide with the owner’s racing manager.

“We decided to come here and his class has got him through. He will 100 per cent run over seven furlongs next and he will get a mile by the end of the year.

“I think he is a Group class horse. He is only going to improve as the year goes on. “

The victory also marked a Fellowes first for owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, who he admitted it was an “honour” to train for.

He added: “Sheikh Ahmed sent me three horses this year and that was a huge pick me up through the winter.

“It is a real honour to train for him and to have a good horse in my first year is great and hopefully it bodes well for the future.”

Group One-winning rider PJ McDonald celebrated a winner on his 40th birthday after steering debutant Moon Watch to glory in the Join Racing TV Now Maiden Stakes (1m ½f).

Despite looking a shade green the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Dubawi, who is out of six-time Group One winner Moonlight Cloud, defied his inexperience to deny 5-4 favourite Devoted Poet by a neck.

McDonald said of the 8-1 winner: “It was pretty straightforward. He jumped nice from the gates and I got a nice position. He travelled around beautifully in the race.

“When I switched him out to let him down it took him five or six strides to level out but he was only getting level going to the line. There is plenty of improvement I’d say

“He has got potential and he is in the right hands. He is a solid strong horse with a good attitude and temperament.

“I was always happy enough I was going to get to him (Devoted Poet) but I know their horses come on for a run. He has picked up nicely.

“It’s a birthday winner as well but the 40th has crept up rather quickly!”

McDonald went on the enjoy a 39.5-1 double when Mitrosonfire (7-2), trained by William Muir and Chris Grassick, landed the Visit racingtv.com Handicap (6f).

Jockey Richard Kingscote revealed he is “tempted” to spend some of his prize money from winning the Cazoo Derby aboard Desert Crown at Epsom Downs on a new motorcycle after admitting to sitting on a few before his five rides at Nottingham today.

Since tasting glory aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained son of Nathaniel on June 4th, the father of two insisted he had been left overwhelmed by the amount of well wishes after admitting it had taken him until “Monday or Tuesday” to read all the messages of congratulations.

After joking in a post-race press conference following his Classic victory at the weekend that he was considering buying a Ducati, the 35 year old rider revealed he had gone one step further on Wednesday after visiting a motorbike dealership on route to the races.

He said: “It has been lovely all the well wishes. It is what you do it for and it has been a pleasurable few days.

“It wasn’t until Monday or Tuesday until I got through all of the messages. It was great for people to take the time out to say well done.

“I saw a few motorbikes this morning and I sat on a Ducati Panigale and I saw a couple of Honda CBRs which look better in the flesh. I’m definitely tempted to get one.”

In recognition of his victory aboard Desert Crown at the weekend Kingscote was presented with a picture by officials at Nottingham of their victory together at the track in November, when the Saeed Suhail-owned colt made a winning racecourse debut.

Speaking after the presentation Kingscote claimed that there was not a better person to have won The Derby for than legendary Newmarket handler Stoute, who he described as a “phenomenal” man.

He added: “He is with the master. So often when you ride a horse that wins first time out they never quite do it again but he has done everything perfectly.

“He quickened up very well so it was pretty plain sailing. Luckily I had a couple of big screens to keep an eye on the rest of the field so I was able to enjoy it.

“Sir Michael is a phenomenal man and who better to ride The Derby winner for.”

Having been out of luck on his first three rides of the afternoon Kingscote struck gold together with Stoute when striking gold aboard Picual, who got up on the line to land the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Fillies’ Handicap (1m 2f)

Kingscote said of the 11-1 winner: “I was a bit slow away but she settled well and got into a rhythm. She stuck her head out well to be fair when she got balanced up.

“I was not entirely convinced she would get there but she balanced up and did some good work late which was encouraging."