U S S Constitution rallies to make sure owners celebrate anniversary in style

Saturday: Ascot

A year on from the most nervous he had felt on a racecourse, and the day after he and his wife forgot their wedding anniversary, owner David Ward was able to watch U S S Constitution land the 7f novice under Saffie Osborne.

On the equivalent day in 2021, Ward and his wife Sue were at Haydock watching Starman miss out on victory in the Group 1 Sprint Cup by a short head.

This time, U S S Constitution rallied after being headed in the closing stages to ensure the Wards were able to have some belated champagne to celebrate 33 years of marriage.

“My wife’s mother called up to wish us a happy anniversary yesterday and we’d both forgotten about it,” David Ward said.

He added: “U S S Constitution’s a lovely horse and will be even more so as a three-year-old. He liked it when another horse came to him.

"Saffie had to go on and lead as there wasn’t much pace, but she felt he was always going to win. He’s still green as he tried to duck out after crossing the line.”

Reflecting on the effort of Starman, who has had 254 mares scanned in foal during his first season standing at Tally-Ho Stud, according to Ward, the owner said: “It was the most nervous I’d ever been before a race on this day last year.

"I was looking at the pictures in the Racing Post today of the finish and thinking ‘did we actually get beaten?’, it was so close.”

Ayr Gold Cup uncertain for Ascot-lover Fresh

Fresh was cut to 6-1 joint favourite (from 10s) for the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup by Paddy Power after his victory in the 7f handicap, but trainer James Fanshawe was uncertain whether the five-year-old would line up in the race.

Owned by Steve Parkin, Fresh’s fondness for Ascot and Fanshawe’s less-than-stellar record with his runners at Ayr means alternative targets may be sought.

“I don’t know about the Ayr Gold Cup. He likes it here so much I might look to keep coming here,” Fanshawe said.

“I’ll speak with his owner. I’ve never had a winner at Ayr and I’ve had some good horses beaten in the Ayr Gold Cup, so we’ll have to see.”

Fresh was winning for the second time in a row at Ascot, having landed the International Stakes at the course in July, and has also been placed in the Victoria Cup, Wokingham and Challenge Cup at the course.

“He’s an absolute superstar,” Fanshawe added. “He’s only 15.2hh but he just loves it here. He likes to be kept fresh and I don’t think he’s ever moved better than he has this year.”

Nymph nabs win for delighted Fox

On her third run in three days Sound Of Iona added another place to her second at Windsor on Thursday and win at Ascot on Friday, going down by a neck and the same in the 6f handicap.

Victory went to Lethal Nymph, whose older half-brother River Nymph had finished third to Fresh in the 7f handicap earlier in the afternoon for owner-breeder Trevor Fox.

“I never expect anything, so I’m absolutely over the moon,” Fox said. “I’ve had horses with Clive Cox for about 12 years now and this is brilliant.”

Explaining how he got into breeding, Fox added: “My wife Sandra loved breeding horses. When I lost her I thought ‘what am I going to do next?’ and decided that I’d carry it on. I’m not sure I really know what I’m doing, but this is fantastic.”

Results, replays and analysis

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.