Guineas runner-up Saffron Beach bounces back in Atalanta

Jane Chapple-Hyam admitted she was delighted to see Saffron Beach set up a return to Group One company in “dominant fashion” after getting her career back on track with a clear cut success in the Betway Atalanta Stakes at Sandown Park today (Saturday 21st August).

Since finishing second in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, little has gone right for the New Bay filly, who in two subsequent runs has finished down the field in both the Cazoo Oaks at Epsom Downs and in last month’s Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

Reverting back to Group Three company for the first time since filling the runner-up spot in the Nell Gwyn on her seasonal return, Saffron Beach looked back to something close to her best when dispatching her nine rivals with the minimum of fuss under Hollie Doyle. Doyle was partnering the filly for the first time today.

Racing close to the pace throughout in the mile prize the 9-2 chance kicked on into a lead she would not surrender inside the final two furlongs before pulling out plenty on the climb to the line to defeat recent Listed winner Waliyak by two and a quarter lengths.

Chapple-Hyam said: “She tried hard and it was a great ride from Hollie. She really enjoyed coming up the hill the last two furlongs.

“We had our hiccup in the Oaks and a hiccup in the Falmouth where she scoped dirty afterwards and she has come back here as the filly we know that she is.

“It was important today just because we believe in the horse and I had to drop her back to a Group Three, just to get the horse’s confidence back as much as anything.

“It was great that Hollie came and rode her on Wednesday to get to know her. I’m thrilled she has been able to do it today in a dominant fashion. Hollie said she had a lot of horse underneath her.

“She is in the Sun Chariot obviously but would one have a little go at the E.P Taylor (staged at Woodbine, Canada on 17th October) as you know me I love to travel.

“I made my decision in the Oaks and it was wrong so I think I have to leave it to the owners.”

It was a first ride aboard Saffron Beach for Group One-winning jockey Hollie Doyle, and she believes victory at the highest level is not beyond the reach of the three year old.

Doyle said: “I was very impressed. I was surprised she went off the price she did as on form figures she had the best in the race if she turned up and she did.

“I got to know her Wednesday and she gave me a great ride then. It is just good to get to know what you have got underneath you before you ride in a big race like this.

“She settled beautifully today and that ground probably slowed her down a bit and she dropped her head.

“I knew she would get a bit further so I committed two down and she ran through the line. I just wanted to get her a lead and get her switched off. Jane said this stiff mile would suit her.

“I think she would get 10 furlongs but ridden like that I don’t see why she can’t stay at a stiff mile. You would like to think somewhere along the line she could be competitive at Group One level.”