Saqqara Sands lifts Eternal prize at Carlisle

Powys County Times

25-06-2025

Saqqara Sands justified favouritism as she ran out a comfortable winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Eternal Stakes at Carlisle.
The Oasis Dream filly gained compensation after finding only potential top-notcher Formal too good in the Surrey Stakes at Epsom on her return from a 223-day absence.
Ralph Beckett's three-year-old pulled away to win by two and a half lengths at even-money to triumph for the first time at Listed level in the hands of Rossa Ryan.
'She's a lightly-raced filly and I think she'll improve as she gets up to a mile. You wouldn't know, but she might not be done yet,' Ryan told Racing TV.
'The rain-softened ground probably isn't her best ground, she's probably better on good ground. I just thought the last day at Epsom she was very green and it was her first run of the season so she was bound to come forward. I can see a bit more improvement to come.'
Karl Burke and Clifford Lee completed a quickfire double in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes with Reciprocated landing odds of 10-11.
The son of Havana Grey cost 450,000 guineas as a yearling and won impressively at Nottingham on debut, and he scooted home by four lengths despite drifting right across the course in the final furlong.
Assistant trainer James Cowley said: 'He's turning out to be a real nice horse. He ran well at Nottingham and we knew he'd come on for the race and there was a lot of hype about other horses going into that race. He showed a good bit that day.
'We knew the slower ground here would be an advantage and he'll be a horse that stays further than this. He's come on a hell of a lot and he'll come on again for that today. He's got plenty of size and scope about him. This track would have brought out his best today, a good staying track.'
The preceding race had seen Lam Yai put a disappointing debut behind her to make a big impression when winning the Racing Staff Week Maiden Stakes by two and three-quarter lengths.
The Lucky Vega filly was last of eight runners on her racecourse bow at Thirsk, but this was a different story as she scored at 11-4.
Cowley said: 'We were disappointed after Thirsk and scratching our heads a little bit. It was probably the quick ground that day and (on) this soft ground she definitely did what we thought she was capable of.'
On The River came out on top in one of the closest finishes in the storied history of the AGMA 20 Years Of Franklin Ownership Carlisle Bell Handicap.
The seven-furlong race, which was first contested in 1599, saw Harriet Bethell's 14-1 charge take the honours via a photo-finish, with David and Nicola Barron's Good Morning Alex beaten by a nose and Sailthisshipalone, trained by Richard Fahey, just another head behind in third.
Ryan also celebrated a double after guiding Rogue Millions to a routine victory in the Stablemate By AGMA Cumberland Plate Handicap.
James Owen's colt, who went off as the 11-8 favourite, looked comfortable when tracking the leaders before making his move with two furlongs to go as he secured his second straight success by four lengths.
The in-form Jack Channon made it six winners from his last eight runners as Hot Cash struck late to win the Lady Dacre Bell Handicap.
The 4-1 favourite timed his run to perfection along the rail to get up by half a length from Yermanthere.
Blufferonthebus (7-2) came from back to front to land the concluding Ladies Night Sat 5th July Fillies' Handicap for Craig Lidster.
Jockey Sam James remained patient in the six-furlong race before sweeping around the outside to challenge leader Orangesandlemons, pipping her to the line by half a length.