Falakeyah powers to impressive Pretty Polly triumph

Falakeyah made a huge impression when strolling to victory in the Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, but trainer Owen Burrows issued a warning over her Oaks prospects.

The Shadwell owned and bred filly was making the second start of her career and was ridden by Jim Crowley as the 6-4 favourite after winning her sole juvenile race by a wide margin last year.

She took up the lead early on in the contest and strode along happily to gain a significant advantage after a handful of furlongs.

That margin was reduced in the closing stages, but when asked to press on again the imposing bay was well able to respond and claimed an easy win by three and a quarter lengths from Life Is Beautiful.

Burrows said: “You’ve got to be very impressed with her. There was no real plan, we just said see where she ends up as she’s a big filly with a big stride and we didn’t want to be pulling her out of that.

“She ended up setting her own fractions and did it the hard way.

“She’d won her only race on the all-weather, and the form hadn’t worked out. But she’s a well-balanced filly and she’s very exciting.

“We’ll have a chat with Team Shadwell about what to do next. Jim just said a mile and a half might be far enough for her. Put it this way, I wouldn’t be telling anyone to back her for the Oaks just yet.

“She showed us a fair level at home last year and I trained her half-sister Rowayeh, who always promised a lot but she ended up rated in the mid-80s. This filly is showing the same but we hope she delivers on the promise, she’s got more scope and her mind is a bit better.

“She got a bit lonely in front, she was a bit tired which she was entitled to be. I’m just not sure she wants a mile and a half yet, possibly the Prix de Diane.”

Crowley said: “She travelled strongly and I thought she was putting in some good fractions but she was always doing it easily.

“Her maiden didn’t work out at all but she’s been showing good speed, so I said to Owen she might not be one to go too far with just yet.

“She’s a big girl with a big stride and she really covers the ground. I was pleased with how she won today as she’s been showing it at home.”

Story Horse (9-2) stayed on dourly to win the Betfred Handicap for William Knight and Saffie Osborne.

Having been keen enough early, he had to be tough to hold off the determined challenge of Blindedbythelights by a short head.

Knight said: “When we were watching, the owner said ‘this isn’t the plan is it?’

“Saffie said she went through plans B, C and D but he had to be tough at the end there, and that is something you can’t train into them.

“We tried the Cesarewitch last year. That was too far but I think he will get two miles if you can drop him in.”

Michael Bell’s Spicy Marg was backed from 10-1 overnight into 7-2 to make a winning debut in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes under Kieran Shoemark.

The rider said: “She behaved impeccably, very professional and it was only a matter of time until I pressed the button.

“I saw her do a piece of work about two weeks ago and I was very keen to get the ride on her. I think she’s a bit special.”