'Royal Ascot the obvious target' - Holland hits net on familiar hunting ground

Thursday: Beverley

Darryll Holland rode often enough at Beverley to know that a two-year-old who can win well from stall 14 of 14 must be pretty special and he is thinking of Royal Ascot for Primrose Ridge.

The filly, second in the Brocklesby at Doncaster last month before being beaten at odds-on at Redcar, was swiftly out and across from her wide draw under Amo Racing jockey Rossa Ryan.

That early effort seemed to take little toll as she stretched clear late on to score by seven lengths in the 5f novice.

Holland, training his first winner at Beverley, said: "When the draw came out it wasn't ideal. In my riding days I'd probably have given that a write-off from stall 14 so it was great to win from there, and by seven lengths.

"She got beaten at Redcar because of the ground. It rained overnight and went against her, though she showed a lot of character.

"She did it the hard way today and she was impressive, I was really pleased with her. She'll go for the Marygate at York now. We'll take one step at a time but Royal Ascot would be the obvious target after that. She's got plenty of tactical speed and she quickens also."

Holland also mentioned a possible crack at the Hilary Needler Trophy here, a track he remembers well.

"I rode a lot of winners for Mark Johnston and it's improved a lot since I used to ride here," the trainer added. "The facilities are a lot better now!"

Spark flies

Royal Ascot also beckons for Evocative Spark, who could not defy a wide draw here last week but took advantage of stall one in the £14,000 7f handicap to win by five and a half lengths under Ben Curtis.

George Boughey is eyeing the Britannia Handicap for the three-year-old, the first winner he has trained for Ibrahim Araci.

"He's a progressive colt and the draw beat him last time," he said. "He'd have been a good winner otherwise. It's nice to see him make amends and to get the first winner for the owner.

"He's one to look forward to. The Britannia would have to come into the reckoning, he'll get a mile and he likes fast ground. There's also a £75,000 seven-furlong handicap at Goodwood in late-May."

Winning spirit

Adrian Nicholls was pleased to end nine weeks without a winner when Tees Spirit made a successful reappearance in the 5f handicap.

"They've been knocking on the door," the trainer said. "We've had seconds and thirds. We haven't got too much to go to war with yet but it's nice to get rolling on the grass."

Nicholls will aim stable star Mo Celita at "all the big sprints" this season and said: "We'll have about 25 horses in this year and if I can get that many winners I'll be a happy man."

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