'It's been an absolute dream' - York winner Shouldvebeenaring lands Listed prize

Monday: Ripon

Connections of Shouldvebeenaring said they are living the dream after the juvenile continued his rapid rise through the ranks with more big-race success in the Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.

The son of Havana Grey won the valuable Premier Yearling Stakes at York's Ebor festival this month and picked up a notable Listed success here when holding off the challenge of the fast-finishing Bolt Action to win by a neck.

Dennis Smith, a member of the Middleham Park Racing syndicate who own Shouldvebeenaring, said: "It's been an absolute dream of an experience, anything after York was going to be a massive bonus.

"He's got so much guts and class, it's absolutely fantastic. Today was just coming quickly after York, but it fitted the bill."

Shouldvebeenaring's victory took his record to three wins from four starts, but winning jockey Sean Levey was cool on pitching him into Group company on his next outing.

"He's very progressive because he's got a good mind. He'd won here before, but he struggled with the undulations and hill," Levey said. "Because he's so genuine and tries really hard he got away with it. That's not a bad thing, as on a better track he'll find a bit more.

"He's in a good position now and potentially he could slowly climb up through the grades rather than throwing him at the deep end."

Big-meeting target

Shelir could head to Qipco British Champions Day in October after he bounced back to winning ways with a brave success in the Ripon Rowels Handicap.

David O'Meara: has big targets for Shelir once againCredit: Edward Whitaker

The David O'Meara-trained six-year-old repelled the challenges of Boardman and Dutch Decoy to win by half a length and may be set for a tilt at the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot, in which he finished seventh last year.

"He's a tough old horse. He's probably been running a lot better than his finishing positions have been suggesting," O'Meara said. "He's got a few more good races in him and the Balmoral Handicap is definitely an option again, I don't see why not."

Brilliant Bethell

Harriet Bethell's remarkable journey showed no signs of stopping as she continued her best Flat season as a trainer as Bearwith narrowly obliged in the 1m2f handicap – a feat she did not realise had happened until after the race.

Bethell, who was left with life-threatening injuries from a freak fall on the gallops in August 2019, saddled her seventh Flat winner of the year when the four-year-old stuck on gamely to win by a neck under Ben Curtis.

"I didn't realise it was my best Flat season, that's very exciting," she said. "He was very good today and had to be really brave. He was really gutsy, especially from the shabby draw that he had."

Mid-race drama

Nigwa dramatically got off the mark in the 1m2f maiden and held off the challenge of Marhaba The Champ, who was denied by a length despite nearly being taken out of the race by another rival turning into the home straight.

Winning trainer Ed Bethell said: "She's a bonny filly. She had to be very game in the end, but she got the job done."

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.