'Special' Sandrine produces more evidence of Andrew Balding's magic touch

Tuesday: Goodwood

Andrew Balding has already worked his magic with one classy filly this summer and the trainer repeated the trick with Sandrine, who roared back to form under David Probert to win the Group 2 World Pool Lennox Stakes.

Regarded as a Classic prospect last term, she was not disgraced in this year's 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes or Falmouth Stakes, but lacked the sparkle that saw her win the Albany Stakes and Duchess of Cambridge Stakes as a two-year-old.

Perhaps that is why Kirsten Rausing's homebred went off at 12-1 but Balding, who coaxed Alcohol Free back to her best to win the July Cup at Newmarket this month, was not surprised the three-year-old ended a run of more than 12 months without a win.

He said: "She is a high-class filly who has thrived in the last month, but – like Alcohol Free – was slow to come to hand in the spring; that's why it's nice to have patient owners.

"I'm delighted and thrilled for Kirsten. She is supportive and easy going, thankfully, because we had a few options and she was happy to go with what we thought was best."

Probert, the only to jockey to have ridden Sandrine, added: "She's always been special, but has taken so long to come to herself. She went to Newmarket for the Guineas and still had her winter coat. Maybe you start to doubt, but she soon blossomed."

Big win for Fellowes

Marbaan struck late under Jamie Spencer to deny Royal Ascot winner Holloway Boy in the Group 2 Japan Racing Association Vintage Stakes to provide Charlie Fellowes with the biggest domestic winner of his training career.

The two-year-old, who is owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, got off the mark at Nottingham on his second start last month and took the step up in class in his stride when beating the Chesham Stakes winner by half a length.

Marbaan (yellow) fends off Holloway Boy to win the Vintage StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We've always thought a lot of him," said Fellowes, whose previous biggest victories were courtesy of Prince Of Arran's two Group 3 wins in Australia. "It was a real boost over the winter to be sent horses by Sheikh Ahmed, and he [Marbaan] stood out. He's progressed and we dumped him in at the deep end.

"It meant a lot. We've had a rough season. From Grand Alliance deciding to throw away the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot to a few other small issues. Training at the moment is as difficult as it has been, and there's a lot of competition with new trainers coming through.

"It's been a hard year so to have a Goodwood winner for such an important owner on a wonderful day of racing is phenomenal."

Betfair Sportsbook introduced Marbaan at 20-1 for next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas, but Fellowes did not commit to a target, and added: "We haven't thought past this. He's in the National Stakes and we put him in the Champagne Stakes. He'll stay a mile no problem this season."

Falcon flies

Mark Johnston, now operating in partnership with son Charlie, has always taken dead aim at Glorious Goodwood, and the Middleham trainer's yard got the 2022 meeting off to the best possible start when Forest Falcon scooted clear to land the opening 1m2f Coral Chesterfield Cup under Frankie Dettori.

Forest Falcon shoots clear under Frankie Dettori to win the openerCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"This is a week we always target," said Charlie Johnston. "I've had a spreadsheet on my desk for probably six to eight weeks now with horses's names being pencilled in, scribbled out and then penned in again.

"Royal Ascot is important because of its prestige, but Dad has been leading trainer here 13 times and it was the plan to make it 14, or one now I'm on the licence too!

"I said to Steve Croft, a good friend of mine, on April 15, which was this horse's first start of the year, that he'd win the first race at Glorious Goodwood because he was tailor-made for it; a mile and a quarter, easy track, fast ground, but I started to doubt myself a bit when he ran below par in the John Smith's Cup at York."

Five in a line: Lord Riddiford (left) is about to hit the front in the 5f handicap at GoodwoodCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Slope star

Lord Riddiford showed a fine change of gear to embellish his course record in the 5f handicap.

Trained by John Quinn, the seven-year-old now has form figures of 1511 on the Sussex slopes.

"He loves Goodwood," said Quinn. "He won twice here before he needed wind operations. He loves it when they go very quick – the quicker the better.

"He's a very nice horse to deal with, a Christian."

Results, replays and analysis

Read this next:

Kyprios denies Stradivarius and Trueshan in epic Goodwood Cup battle

Sign up here. 18+. New UK & ROI customers only. Minimum deposit £/€5. Minimum first £/€5 bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £/€20 free bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Free bet valid for seven days. Stake not returned. Restrictions and T&Cs apply.