'Class' Naval Power 8-1 for 2,000 Guineas after extending unbeaten run to four

Saturday: Haydock

Naval Power strengthened Charlie Appleby's grip on the juvenile division when charging through a tight gap to extend his unbeaten record to four in the Listed Ascendant Stakes.

On his first try at a mile in the Betfair-sponsored contest, the Teofilo colt was caught behind runners on the rail but William Buick bided his time and once daylight arrived his mount quickened up to score decisively.

Bookmakers cut Naval Power's odds for next year's 2,000 Guineas to 8-1 (from 10), making him shorter in the betting than stablemate Noble Style, who is 10-1 after winning last month's Gimcrack Stakes. Little Big Bear heads the market at 4-1.

"It was another good learning day," said Appleby. "Will got him into a nice box seat there and he had to fight for his gap, but class prevailed in the end.

"He had a penalty but he brought experience into the race and I was confident he would see it out well. Once the gap appeared the stamina came in and it kicked in at the right time."

Naval Power has multiple entries and Appleby is keen to stick to a mile in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on September 24.

"The Racing Post Trophy [Vertem Futurity Trophy] would be thought about but he's a Teofilo who loves a sound surface and we're more likely to go for the Royal Lodge," said Appleby. "If he was to run well in that we'd put him away for the year and see where we are next year."

Looking to next season's Classics, Appleby added: "On pedigree he should be able to stretch out to a mile and a quarter and hopefully beyond. For a horse with that pedigree he's got a lot of natural pace as well."

Triple far superior

The Group 3 Superior Mile suffered majorly from the glut of non-runners with half the field - and four of the top five in the market - taken out on account of the fast ground, but Kevin Ryan was not complaining after Triple Time made an extremely satisfying comeback.

Not seen in action since winning the Listed two-year-old race on this card 12 months ago, the Frankel colt was on course for the 2,000 Guineas in the spring before suffering a late setback, but eased the frustration of missing the majority of the season.

Ryan, who praised owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's patience with the 13-8 winner, said: "This is a very, very good horse - he's a special talent. I was devastated when he went wrong before the Guineas because I thought we had a real chance. He came back lame and then we found a tiny stress fracture.

"We've given him loads of time and it's great to get him back. He was a bit fresh today, he's quite exuberant and he'll probably end up getting ten furlongs as he gets more relaxed in races. He's in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein on Arc weekend and I'll discuss options with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid."

Brave repeat

Island Brave won back-to-back runnings of the £100,000 Old Borough Cup to provide jockey Gina Mangan the biggest success of her career.

The Heather Main-trained eight-year-old had to dig deep for victory in a race reduced to six runners from 15 declarations, holding off the attentions of Charging Thunder, whose jockey Jason Watson was suspended for three days (September 17-19) for careless riding.

Mangan, who claims 5lb, said: "I'm stuck for words really, it was just great to get the ride in the first place."

Main added: "Funnily enough, I put him in the Doncaster Cup this morning so we'll see how he is."

Track record

On ground described as good to firm, firm in places, Look Out Louis lowered the track record when powering home in the 5f handicap for trainer Julie Camacho and jockey Barry McHugh.

Results, replays and analysis

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