Tyrrhenian Sea gets revenge on Chancellor at Newcastle

Tyrrhenian Sea has been a fixture of the all-weather scene for five years now and showed at the age of eight the fire still burns bright when displaying a sparkling turn of foot in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap at Newcastle.

Since making a winning debut at Gosforth Park in December 2021, a total of 17 of 24 career races have been on an artificial surface for Roger Varian’s extraordinarily striking eight-year-old.

He has won twice at Listed level and was second to Chancellor in the Tandridge Stakes when attempting back-to-back wins in that contest last time out. This time, 3lb better off for a length with John and Thady Gosden’s one-time Classic hope, he won by a length and a quarter from Blue Rc.

Jack Mitchell has ridden him more than any other jockey and said: “He’s a horse who has always had a special place in my heart all through his career. As an eight-year-old against younger horses I thought he’d have to be at his very best today.

“I was travelling so well, but I was trying to find a way through being drawn 14, then I followed Rab (Havlin on Chancellor) and he picked up really well.

“He stays further so Roger and the team had some deep discussions over whether to run in this or the Easter Classic, this looked the tougher race but we went a nice gallop and we were 3lb better with Chancellor.

“His best form is on the all-weather so as long as he’s fit and healthy he’ll come back and have another go next year.”

Andrew Balding’s Stateira looked the banker on the card and she duly obliged as the 11-8 favourite in the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap.

Having impressed when winning at the trials meeting 72 days ago, Balding decided to bide his time and wait for the £150,000 final and it paid dividends.

Despite being 10lb higher, Oisin Murphy oozed confidence and she looks well worth a crack at a black-type race.

“She was entitled to be favourite, but I was just a bit concerned that we’d have to chance plans as she normally likes to get on with it at her own speed,” said Murphy.

“I thought if I rode her that way today she’d do too much into the headwind, but I was pleased with how she settled, she went to sleep and she was entitled to win.

“The ones in front were slowing down before I asked her a question. She’s in great health at the moment and when fillies are in that space they can really improve.

“Andrew will have a good think about what to do next, but today was a good target for her.”

On some of his best form William Haggas’ Wiltshire looked well handicapped in the Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap but he had developed a propensity to be slowly away.

However, he broke on terms this time and the 7-1 chance moved smoothly into contention under Cieren Fallon, who followed Fivethousandtoone through before scooting clear to win by a length.

Haggas’ wife and assistant Maureen said: “He finally had to had a wind op and combined with the tongue tie he seemed happier. He’s always had the ability, we know that.

“He enjoys the all-weather and when he’s on the grass he doesn’t want it too quick. He needed that, a nice confidence boost.

“Cieren knows him well and he’s good at cool rides. HE jumped much better today which helped.

“He had a trapped epiglottis and it made him sound like a distressed pug!”