Temple target awaits York hero American Affair

Jim Goldie is excited to see how high American Affair can climb in the sprinting ranks following a smooth performance in the Lindum York Handicap.

Winner of a valuable prize at Thirsk and the Portland at Doncaster last season, he was also placed in several other decent races before disappointing when favourite for the Ayr Gold Cup.

The five-year-old was rated just 70 at the start of 2024, but following a comeback victory at Musselburgh last month, he lined up on the Knavesmire off 98 and even that elevated mark was nowhere near enough to stop Paul Mulrennan charting a path to the front with relative ease.

Goldie, speaking away from the track, said: “That was first class, he couldn’t have done it any better and he’s obviously very good.

“I think he’s just developing, that’s where the improvement has come from. Paul took him back out of the stalls as he can idle when he hits the front, but the Portland tactics worked well. He’s quite exciting.”

Jm Jungle travelled smoothly to grab the lead on the Knavesmire, but he just acted as a target for the 7-2 favourite American Affair, who was good value for the winning margin of a length.

Paddy Power make the winner a 33-1 shot from 100-1 for the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and he could bid to earn himself a trip to the summer showpiece meeting at Haydock on Saturday week.

“He’s entered at Royal Ascot but I think we’ll take him to Haydock first for the Temple Stakes,” the trainer added.

“I think we’re just enjoying riding the wave, as they say. Jack Dexter was rated 114 at one stage, this lad will be rated over 100 now so he’s still got a long way to go, but if he wins the Temple then he won’t be far off.

“I think he was beaten by the trip at Ayr, he looks to be a real five-furlong horse. I’ve had three generations of the family now, which is nice.”

Old Cock (9-2) finished with a flourish to claim a last-gasp victory in the Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap.

Ed Bethell’s three-time winner had a point to prove after trailing home last of 22 in the Lincoln at Doncaster on his seasonal debut, but swooped late to deny 5-2 favourite Sisyphean by half a length in the hands of Callum Rodriguez.

Bethell said: “That was good, I’m very pleased with him. He’s very good on his day and I thought he looked a million walking around the paddock.

“I was never confident because it is York but I had a strong hope, put it that way. Who knows where the ceiling is for him?

“The trainer messed up in the Lincoln, he got a rush of blood early in the year and I ran him too soon. This has been the plan ever since.

“He’s in the Hunt Cup (at Royal Ascot) but I’ll speak to the owners before making a final decision.”

First Legion (6-1) was a second impressive debut winner in two days on the Knavesmire for Richard Hannon in the Frank Whittle Partnership ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes.

Also in the colours of owner Zhang Yuesheng like Ballistic Missile, his retained rider Shane Foley was aboard for the length-and-a-half victory.

Foley said: “He breezed very well and was bought with a big reputation (500,000 guineas) and Richard liked him.

“He’s gone through the race well, he was a little bit keen in the middle part of the race but he picked up good.

“Faster ground will suit him. It rode a nice race.”

Paddy Power introduced him at 12-1 for the Coventry Stakes.

William Haggas’ Merchant then won the mile-and-a-half Sky Bet Handicap by two and a half lengths as the 5-2 favourite under Tom Marquand.

“We’re thrilled, William has always liked this horse,” said Harry Herbert of owners Highclere.

“He’s always been a lovely work in progress, he’s laid back and almost lazy at home, here he is over the right trip for the first time.

“He was pretty well handicapped and he’s the sort of horse we’d love to think we could get to Royal Ascot for the King George V with.”