'He deserved that' - Nayef Road out from shadow of Stradivarius with Listed win

Mark Johnston added the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes to his shelves of silverware for the staying ranks as Nayef Road gained a deserved first success in the 2m contest.

Andrea Atzeni took no prisoners on the consistent five-year-old, who enjoyed the rare luxury of not facing his old nemesis Stradivarius in the eight-runner field.

The 9-2 chance came close to breaking the track record in his wind-assisted romp ahead of the penalised Roberto Escobarr and may yet have another crack at the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot next month, for which he was cut to 10-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power.

Assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said: "I feel genuinely pleased for the horse. He's spent the last two years banging his head against a brick wall called Stradivarius and we thought this race in calmer waters would suit him. He's been second in two Group 1s and he deserved that. We thought this ground would suit him as he likes it quick."

"I thought Andrea was aggressive enough on him but with a tailwind that's no bad thing. He could go to Ascot but we'll see what the owner Mohamed Obaida wants to do."

'She was in a bad mood – which was a good sign'

Gale Force Maya was not in the best of humour before her third attempt to win the 6f fillies' handicap, something that owner Frank Lowe took as a positive.

In the end the 9-2 chance, trained in County Durham by Michael Dods, made it third time lucky under the in-form Adam Farragher to make Lowe's trek from Carlisle to the Rowley Mile worthwhile.

He said: "We set off at 5.30am to get here and before the race the travelling head lad said Gale Force Maya was in a bad mood, which is always a good sign with her. Adam gave her a great ride and his 5lb claim has made the difference.

"We came a couple of years ago when she was just beaten by Chil Chil, although we couldn't come last year when she was third because of Covid-19.

"Who knows, we might be back here next year as she probably stays in training."

Gale Force Maya: lands the fillies' handicap on the third time of asking for Michael DodsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Suba stars

Roger Varian, Andrea Atzeni and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid combined to win the opening mile maiden for the second year in a row courtesy of newcomer Subastar.

The 14-1 chance overcame favourite Dawn Of Liberation to back up the win of stablemate Royal Champion 12 months ago.

Varian has a wealth of unraced talent like the son of Sea The Stars to unleash in the coming weeks and is looking to next year with his latest winner.

The Newmarket trainer said: "We've always liked Subastar but we thought he would come on for the run today. He'll be a lovely horse next year over middle distances and he's one to look forward to over winter."

Rhebus on the right road

Ralph Beckett won the Newmarket Challenge Whip for the third time when Rhebus Road took the 1m2f handicap under Jane Elliott.

It was full circle for the winning jockey, who was a former apprentice to Beckett but registered a belated first win for the trainer when scoring on the 8-1 chance.

The Challenge Whip, which dates back to the 18th century, carries no prize-money or riding fees but the winning jockey gets a tie pin which is a small-scale replica of the original whip prize.

Beckett said: "The horse was bought specifically for this race so it's job done. The owners Tim Syder and Dominic Burke have a good trophy which they get to keep which wasn't the case the last time we won it."

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