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Marsha wins at Guineas meeting and Judicial follows up at Chester

24 May 2017

Despite Sir Mark being pessimistic about Marsha's chances of winning the Palace House Stakes, Marsha was an impressive winner of the Group 3 race. What we had not considered was the improvement she had made over the winter. This was difficult to judge, as she only works on her own, as Sir Mark doesn't want to light her up too much at home, hence her win in was a wonderful surprise.

Having watched Marsha win the Prix de l'Abbaye at Chantilly, this win seemed even more special, as it was shared by her trainer, who handled the press brilliantly on our behalf, and a large group of twenty Members, who had kindly been allowed to share in this experience by the Racecourse. We were taken to the Royal Box, where the legendary Lester Piggott kindly greeted his adoring fans. The following day, Top Tug ran another super race to finish second to the Royal Ascot-bound Frontiersman. He stayed on superbly under Adam Kirby, who gets on particularly well with our popular chesnut. This was perhaps Top Tug's best-ever run, as he stayed on strongly despite needing to be pulled around the entire field with two furlongs to run. He stayed on with every stride, and looks as though he could take us to some really exciting race meetings once again

Since then, Judicial followed up his course-record breaking win at Pontefract with a facile victory at Chester. He defied being running wide into the straight to win a conditions race by four lengths at Chester's May meeting, which was an incredible effort. Judicial could now run in Listed company, as he is unsuited by handicaps with loads of runners. This was a wonderful effort from Julie Camacho and Steve Brown, who work tirelessly to keep the son of Iffraaj calm, as he can become pretty wound up. Other good Club results include Marseille's second place at Newcastle on Tuesday, in a race that wasn't run to suit her. She ran keenly in front, as the pace was slower than ideal and she couldn't be covered up by Joe Doyle. Last week, Tribute Act finished fourth in a fillies' handicap at Newmarket after missing the break. She looked very green as she struggles to make ground on the rain-softened turf, and should be much more at home on good ground. She stayed on well after losing three or four lengths in the stalls and remains a very promising prospect.