Relief Rally and Savethelastdance light up a murky afternoon for punters

22 July 2023 , 17:22

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Relief Rally and Savethelastdance light up a murky afternoon for punters

Tom Marquand oozed confidence on Relief Rally who lit up a murky afternoon in the Weatherbys Super Sprint.

The evens favourite sped away from her 19 rivals to bank the £122,925 first prize at soggy Newbury. Punters were counting their cash from the furlong pole, as William Haggas' filly appeared to be going fastest of all.

Her impressive burst of pace carried the hotpot three lengths clear of 33-1 shots Dapperling and Payment In Kind. The result, with World Of Darcy (11-1) back in fourth place soothed Marquand's pain for Relief Rally's Royal Ascot defeat by the narrowest of margins.

"I think my heart is still broken (after Ascot), but it is glueing back together a little bit after that," said the rider, whose mount lost out to Crimson Advocate in the Queen Mary photo finish. The other side had a bit of an advantage, but I know the turn of foot she has."

Ryan Moore refused to accept defeat on Savethelastdance - 999-1 in-running – in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks. His mount appeared to be floundering from some way out and hung into Azazat, as the pair were passed by Bluestocking up the Curragh straight.

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Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore teamed up with Juddmonte Irish Oaks winner Savethelastdance (PA)

Ralph Beckett's filly, carrying the sponsor's colours, hit the front inside the last 150 yards. But she was reeled in by the late surge from Savethelastdance – who helped trainer Aidan O'Brien to a record seventh race trophy.

"Ryan gave her a brilliant ride, he re-motivated her," the Coolmore maestro said. "I’d say she’s going to sharpen up a good bit from today. We’re treating this as her first run of an autumn campaign.”

Savethelastdance halved in price with bookmakers for the St Leger on September 16, with 5-1 offered by William Hill.

Meanwhile, crack apprentice Billy Loughnane's impressive run of form has been temporarily halted by injury.

The 17-year-old fractured his thumb in a stalls incident at Nottingham Racecourse on Friday. Loughnane, who only launched his career in October, has had 85 winners – and has been compared to Flat racing legend Lester Piggott.

Among the teenager's haul is a 359-1 Chepstow treble, recorded just a day before the small setback.

Melissa Jones