Shouldvebeenaring made it three wins on the bounce as he graduated to Listed level in the British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes.
A winner at the Yorkshire track on his penultimate start, the Havana Grey colt landed a big sales prize at York on his latest start, prompting trainer Richard Hannon and owners Middleham Park Racing to raise his sights in this six-furlong contest.
Partnered by Sean Levey, Shouldvebeenaring loomed upsides Bolt Action with a couple of furlongs to run and while the second rallied gamely in the shadow of the post, the 3-1 winner was just too good, triumphing by a neck.
Al Karrar, runner-up in the Richmond Stakes, was the 11-8 favourite but lost all chance at the start, breaking slowly before taking a keen a hold down the middle of the track and dropping away at the finish as his early exertions told.
Hannon is now eyeing a step up in class and trip for the winner’s next outing. He said: “I’m delighted with that. He could be a very good horse and he has just got better and better “It was quite a quick turnaround from the York race, but he handled it well. He was a little bit inconvenienced early on in the race and I think he will improve for going seven furlongs as well.
“I nearly put him in a couple of races this morning, but we’ll be very happy to sit on him and take our time. He has been a pleasure – and I have got a little piece of him myself, which makes a difference!”
He added: “I think we might well go seven furlongs with him next time. He has won that quite well and that was quite a competitive race. He is a very nice horse going forward, so he we’ll see him up in class and probably over seven next time.”
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