It's a Jamie Spencer special in the Bunbury Cup - but not as we know it

Saturday: Newmarket

Maybe Jamie Spencer has lost his touch?

All the hallmarks of a ride you could describe as 'Spencer at his very best' were there, but compared to what we are used to the timing was off.

Bless Him was dropped out in the early stages of the £120,000 bet365 Bunbury Cup, check. Stone last, bar the tailed off I’m A Gambler who completely missed the break, at the halfway point, check. The rider yet to move when all around him were fully animated, check.

You know what comes next, it’s the swoop through the field, but rather than just getting there on the line, Bless Him hit the front with a full half-furlong left to run. We were denied the usual heart in mouth moment to which we have become accustomed to.

By the line they were a length and a quarter clear of the photo for second between Ropey Guest and Jumby. It was most un-Spencer.

As a jockey Spencer’s biggest talent is making the impossible look easy. Rarely has anyone made coming from last to first at this track that favours front runners look so easy.

On top of that, getting Bless Him’s head in front on turf was starting to look an impossible task in its own right. It had been 17 starts on grass since his last win, when he beat none other than Lord North over a mile at Ascot in September 2019.

Jamie Spencer and Bless Him (left) on the way to Newmarket successCredit: Edward Whitaker

And David Simcock confirmed it is to Ascot he will return, for the Moet & Chandon International Stakes on the King George and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes card.

He said: "It’s worked out well, they split into three pockets so he wasn’t actually that far off them and he came through nicely. He’ll go to Ascot for the valuable seven furlong handicap."

California dreaming

Not many owner-breeders fly over 5,000 miles to see their horse run in a handicap, but California-based Bill Crager and his family did just that.

Thankfully, Miss Carol Ann, who is named after Crager's late mother, read the script when holding off Silken Petals in the 7f fillies' contest under Jack Mitchell.

Miss Carol Ann: proved to be a rewarding winner for connectionsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Crager was taking no chances with the outcome of the race having brought along a lucky charm memento in the shape of a heart.

He said: "My mother held this heart in her hand when she died so it means a lot to me and I'm happy the filly has won as it's our first horse with Roger Varian.

"We had started out on the 1,000 Guineas trail with her, so hopefully she can get some black type after that win. Let's hope this can be a tonic for Roger and his wife Hanako, both of whom are suffering from Covid at the moment," added Crager.

Hendrix on song

Jimi Hendrix put his experience to good use when coming from last to first in the £50,000 Mile Handicap to give Ralph Beckett and Rob Hornby another win at the meeting.

The 5-2 favourite, who had form on his side after finishing third in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out, left it late to collar front-runner Positive Impact.

Jimi Hendrix: provided Rob Hornby and Ralph Beckett with another Newmarket winnerCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The win came a day after the combination had mopped up the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes with Prosperous Voyage.

Beckett said: "We might go up in grade after that and as he's got plenty of size and scope, we may go further. He went to sleep at the start but thankfully he woke up at the right time."

Zain tonic

The opening 7f fillies' maiden looked a tough race to call on the betting market and it proved to be just that as 12-1 outsider Alseyoob obliged under Sean Levey.

She was giving Ismail Mohammed his second juvenile win of the season and gave the yard a boost just a day after stable star Zain Claudette had disappointed at York.

He said: "This filly has always shown quality at home but she is a different type to Zain Claudette. I'm surprised she was 12-1, but funnily enough our other two-year-old this season was sent off at 125-1!"

Results, replays and analysis

Read more from Super Saturday:

July Cup: 'It won't be an alcohol-free weekend' - Rob Hornby revels in another Group 1

Superlative Stakes: 'He's really special' - Isaac Shelby emerges as a Guineas hope after Group 2 win

York: 'I couldn't believe my eyes' - stunning Royal Aclaim the new Nunthorpe favourite

Ascot: 'We can't duck Baaeed' - Chindit camp up for rematch after Summer Mile victory

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