Ralph Beckett | Horse Racing Free Tips

Royal-Oak Glory For Teofilo’s Scope

Unsurprisingly, 3-year-olds have come to assume dominance of late in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix Royal-Oak and it was a case of more of the same on Sunday as Julian Richmond-Watson's Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) made the eight-pound weight-for-age pull count in the testing conditions he loves. Following a staying-on sixth in the G1 St Leger at Doncaster Sept. 11 with a powerful 7 1/2-length success in Ascot's Listed Noel Murless S. also over a mile and a quarter at the start of the month, the 15-2 shot was sent up to race in third early by Rob Hornby with stamina for the 15 1/2-furlong trip guaranteed. While his acceleration was not as instant as the closer Skazino (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) once straightened for home, the Ralph Beckett-trained homebred was able to get to that older rival passing the furlong pole and outstay him for a length success, with Glycon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) 3 1/2 lengths away in third. “He's done nothing wrong all year and stamina is the key to him,” Hornby said after steering his first group 1 winner. “I was conscious to keep tabs on the leading two so I could take it up when I wanted to, as stamina was going to be important in this ground. He powered to the line and he's a real trier. He was a touch unlucky in the Leger–he didn't get to run his race that day and maybe that was one that got left behind, so he deserved this and can go on to better things now.”

Rolling back to Newbury exactly one year and one day prior to his biggest day, Scope was getting the better of what was to become the most famous maiden in training in Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) on their debuts in a mile novice on heavy ground. Back in action in a 10-furlong novice on good-to-firm at Newmarket Apr. 15, the chestnut was runner-up to Godolphin's unbeaten and subsequently unsighted Al Waqidi (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) before chasing home Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in a renewal of the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial which was soon to take on greater significance May 8. Far from disgraced when fifth in the 12-furlong G2 Great Voltigeur at York Aug. 18, he was caught for speed and racing room at one stage in the straight but finished off strongly in the Leger before everything fell into place for a timely confidence boost in the Noel Murless.

This was again perfectly set up for the unexposed stayer whose career is not dissimilar to last year's winner and fellow son of Teofilo in Subjectivist (GB), with proven marathon man Alkuin (Ire) (Maxios {GB}) providing the target and most of the market-leaders reserved behind. It was the 4-1 favourite Skazino who threw the first punch in early straight and for a 100 metres it looked as if the G3 Prix de Barbeville, G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and G2 Prix Kergorlay winner was going to write another chapter in Le Haras de la Gousserie's recent success story. Ultimately, he had reckoned without Scope's endless staying power and the British raider began to pull away as the line neared. There was to be no fairytale end to the remarkable career of Alain de Royer-Dupre, as last year's runner-up Valia (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) failed to fire after blowing the start and finished a remote sixth.

“I wasn't expecting any of this,” commented Beckett, whose Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) had taken the G1 Criterium International 24 hours earlier. “I thought the horse yesterday would win, but I wasn't sure about today. He has improved since Ascot and improved with racing as many of his family do. I thought today beforehand he looked terrific. I was delighted with how well he travelled and how it panned out today. He's not an exuberant horse at home and in his races and only does enough and his mother and sisters were the same. At the start of the year, I said I thought he might be more of a Leger horse rather than a Derby horse, but I didn't expect it to be the French Leger but that'll do. He was very backward throughout his 2-year-old career and is still quite a raw immature individual, so he should develop from three to four and continue to improve.”

Scope is a son of Richmond-Watson's four-times winner Look So (GB) (Efisio {GB}), who was campaigned over seven furlongs and a mile and who also produced three other black-type performers in the Listed Hoppings S. winner and G3 Musidora S.-placed Regardez (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), the Listed Prix Petite Etoile winner and G2 Prix de Sandringham-placed Glance (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and the Listed Ripon Two-Year-Old Trophy-placed Compton (GB) (Compton Place {GB}). Look So is kin to Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr), who captured the G1 Epsom Oaks for these connections as well as finishing third in the St Leger, the G1 Coronation Cup and G1 Pretty Polly S. She is responsible for another Noel Murless winner in Hereby (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who was also third in the G2 Lancashire Oaks while the family also features the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Kayah (GB) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and the G2 Prix Maurice de Gheest-winning sire Pursuit of Love (GB) (Groom Dancer). Look So's filly foal is by Night of Thunder (Ire).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX ROYAL-OAK-G1, €350,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-24, 3yo/up, 15 1/2fT, 3:27.35, vs.
1–SCOPE (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Teofilo (Ire)
1st Dam: Look So (GB), by Efisio (GB)
2nd Dam: Last Look (GB), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Derniere Danse (GB), by Gay Mecene
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Mr J H Richmond-Watson; B-Lawn Stud (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rob Hornby. €199,990. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 7-3-1-1, $298,796. *1/2 to Glance (GB) (Dansili {GB}), SW & GSP-Fr, MSP-Eng; 1/2 to Regardez (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), SW & GSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, GSP-US, $181,176. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Skazino (Fr), 130, g, 5, Kendargent (Fr)–Skallet (Fr), by Muhaymin. (€22,000 Ylg '17 AROCT; €150,000 RNA HRA '19 ARQARC). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Cedric Rossi. €80,010.
3–Glycon (Fr), 130, g, 5, Le Havre (Ire)–Glorious Sight (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). O/B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €40,005.
Margins: 1, 3HF, 1HF. Odds: 7.60, 4.10, 9.00.
Also Ran: Search For a Song (Ire), Zero Ten (Ire), Valia (Fr), Call the Wind (GB), Kemari (GB), Quickthorn (GB), Bel Aristo (Fr), Lord Achilles (Fr), Alkuin (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Dark Angel’s Angel Bleu On Top In The Criterium International

Marc Chan's 2-year-old colt Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) backed up a win in Goodwood's July 27 G2 Vintage S. in July with a career high in this month's G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp and doubled his elite-level tally with a game victory in Saturday's G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. The Listed Pat Eddery S. runner-up had earlier collected wins at Salisbury and Pontefract and, in the absence of late scratching Glounthaune (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), went postward as the 17-10 second choice for the one-mile test. Steadied to race off the tempo at the tail of the six-runner field, he was angled to the outside off the home turn and kept on strongly once launching his challenge with 350 metres remaining to deny the rallying Lagardere third Ancient Rome (War Front) by a head.

“He really is extraordinary and you don't get horses like this very often,” said Ralph Beckett. “We haven't had one like him and I'd say the softest part of him is his tooth enamel. He's danced every dance and I thought [racing manager] Jamie McCalmont summed it up very well earlier in the week when he said it's a privilege to be involved with him. It really is a privilege, horses like this don't come along very often and I'm very proud of him. He had a tough race in the Lagardere and he really does have the most extraordinary constitution. Any horse that can do what he's done has to have a fantastic constitution. Soft ground is very important to him and the form book tells you that. Whatever happens next, he's done it twice inside a month in a different country, which takes a lot of doing.”

Looking ahead to Classic targets for next year, the trainer added, “If I was going to bet on it, at this stages I'd say he's likely to turn up at Longchamp [for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains] rather than Newmarket [for the G1 2000 Guineas]”

Angel Bleu, half-brother to a yearling colt by Siyouni (Fr) and one of nine Group 1 winners for his sire (by Acclamation {GB}), is the first of two foals produced by a full-sister to MG1SW sire Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His dam Cercle de La Vie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of G2 South Australian Oaks runner-up Hveger (Aus) (Danehill), is also a full-sister to G1 Caulfield S. hero Cape of Good Hope (Ire), MG1SP G2 Great Voltigeur S. and G2 Hardwicke S. victor Idaho (Ire) and G3 Ballysax S. victor Nobel Prize (Ire). The February-foaled bay's G1 Australia Oaks-winning third dam Circles of Gold (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}) threw MG1SW Australian champions Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill) and Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus). Circles of Gold is the leading performer for Olympic Aim (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}), whose descendants include MG1SW sire Starspangledbanner (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) and G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas victrix Amicus (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France
CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL-G1, €250,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-23, 2yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:44.40, vsf.
1–ANGEL BLEU (FR), 126, c, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Cercle de la Vie (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hveger (Aus), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Circles of Gold (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)
(€120,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Marc Chan; B-Pan Sutong Racing Bloodstock (FR); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Frankie Dettori. €142,850. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 7-4-1-1, €492,051. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ancient Rome, 126, c, 2, War Front–Gagnoa (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Andre Fabre. €57,150.
3–Purplepay (Fr), 122, f, 2, Zarak (Fr)–Piedra (Ire), by Lawman (Fr). (€100,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois; B-Mme Lisa Lemiere Dubois (FR); T-Cedric Rossi. €28,575.
Margins: HD, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.70, 1.20, 4.30.
Also Ran: Aikhal (Ire), Toimy Son (Fr), Oscula (Ire). Scratched: Glounthaune (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Dark Angel’s Angel Bleu Pounces For Jean-Luc Lagardere Triumph

Unseen since annexing Goodwood's G2 Vintage S. in July, Marc Chan's 2-year-old colt Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), dented a host of lofty reputations and pounced late for a game success in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere – Grand Criterium at ParisLongchamp. The Listed Pat Eddery S. runner-up had snagged two low-key heats, at Salisbury and Pontefract, in his first four starts and was sent postward as an 11-2 chance for the seven-furlong test. Steadied at the break to race off the pace in a midfield sixth along the rail, he responded to Frankie Dettori's continued urgings in the straight to go second approaching the final furlong and kept on relentlessly under a late drive to deny Godolphin's pacesetting Listed Flying Scotsman S. winner Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) by 3/4-of-a-length nearing the line. Coolmore and Westerberg's 12-5 favourite Ancient Rome (War Front) came from off the pace with a late rattle, but was unable to catch the front two and finished the same margin back in third.

“We felt the bend really helped him at Goodwood and the bend helped him again today because he can be quite exuberant,” explained trainer Ralph Beckett. “We came for the ground, it all fell into place today, this is my first Group 1 win in France and it couldn't have worked out any better. It was tough as he had to go and get the other horse and then put it to bed. We were always going to come here after Goodwood, he's tough and it's all worked out. He has been great to train from day one and he's really been very straightforward. He's been brilliantly managed, [owner] Marc Chan is a very easy guy to deal with and he has taken the advice of Jamie McCalmont, who has called it right all along.”

Looking ahead to future targets, the trainer didn't commit to punching a “Win-And-You're-In” ticket to the Breeders' Cup and added, “The Breeders' Cup is a possibility, but there's not much soft ground in Del Mar. It was soft at Newmarket on Saturday, he's still in the [G1] Dewhurst [next Saturday] and I wouldn't rule that out. He's backed up quickly before and when they're in good form and the ball's at your feet it's always a good idea to kick it.”

For Frankie Dettori, it was some measure of compensation having missed on a ride in the Arc following the withdrawal of Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “I had a good draw and a good race,” claimed the rider after registering a third win in the contest. “I waited until the false straight before making my move and I always knew that we were going to win. I don't have a ride in the Arc, unfortunately, but winning a Group 1 race on this card is always special. I'm delighted for the owner, Marc Chan, who is a newcomer to racing and has acquired several horses with a view to winning the Hong Kong Derby.”

“I'm delighted and it's definitely a step up from where we've been,” said Charlie Appleby after Noble Truth had made a bold attempt to win from the front. “We've tried to hold on to him before, but he's a fairly keen horse so we tried a different tack today. We tried it at home in midweek before we decided to come here. We let him roll on the front end of a gallop and they couldn't get to him and he very nearly pulled it off today. We'll see how he comes out of it and we'll see where we are. I thought we might go to Saint-Cloud [for the one-mile Oct. 23 G1 Criterium International] with him. We know he'll handle conditions there so we might have a look at that.”

Rider Mickael Barzalona was of the opinion the draw was the most significant factor, and not the heavy going, in contributing to the defeat of Ancient Rome and elaborated, “Ancient Rome ran well and was not hampered by the ground judging by the way that he finished his race. We would have preferred to have been drawn on the inside, but, unfortunately, we were forced to deal with his number nine draw.”

Angel Bleu, half-brother to a yearling colt by Siyouni (Fr), becomes the ninth Group 1 winner for his sire and is the first of two foals produced by a full-sister to MG1SW sire Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His dam Cercle de La Vie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of G2 South Australian Oaks runner-up Hveger (Aus) (Danehill), is also full to G1 Caulfield S. hero Cape of Good Hope (Ire), MG1SP G2 Great Voltigeur S. and G2 Hardwicke S. victor Idaho (Ire) and G3 Ballysax S. victor Nobel Prize (Ire). The February-foaled bay's G1 Australia Oaks-winning third dam Circles of Gold (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}) threw MG1SW Australian champions Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill) and Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus). Circles of Gold is the leading performer for Olympic Aim (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}), whose descendants include MG1SW sire Starspangledbanner (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) and G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas victrix Amicus (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE (GRAND CRITERIUM)-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-3, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:24.58, hy.
1–ANGEL BLEU (FR), 126, c, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Cercle de la Vie (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hveger (Aus), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Circles of Gold (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€120,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Marc Chan; B-Pan Sutong Racing Bloodstock (FR); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Frankie Dettori. €228,560. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 7-4-1-1, €349,201. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Noble Truth (Fr), 126, c, 2, Kingman (GB)–Speralita (Fr), by Frankel (GB). (€1,100,000 Ylg '20 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois (FR); T-Charlie Appleby. €91,440.
3–Ancient Rome, 126, c, 2, War Front–Gagnoa (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Andre Fabre. €45,720.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, SNK. Odds: 5.50, 6.40, 2.40.
Also Ran: Accakaba (Ire), The Wizard of Eye (Ire), Stone Age (Ire), Rocchigiani (GB), Ebro River (Ire), Arnis Master (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Hello You Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth In Rockfel Stakes

Amo Racing Limited's Hello You (IRE) announced herself as one of the best 2-year-old fillies in Europe, as she quickened clear in Friday's Unibet Rockfel Stakes (G2) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course. Her 1 ½-length success secures a guaranteed start into the US$1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Hello You, a bay daughter of Invincible Spirit (IRE) out of the Pivotal (GB) mare Lucrece (GB), won impressively on her debut at Wolverhampton back in May but had been unable to get her head in front in four efforts since. Ridden by her regular partner Rossa Ryan, Hello You sat just off the pace set by the George Boughey-trained pair Oscula (IRE) and Cachet (IRE) before accelerating past them both to give young trainer David Loughnane a second Group 2 success of the season, after Go Bears Go (IRE) claimed the GAIN Railway Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in June.

Hello You moved yards from Ralph Beckett to Loughnane at the start of August and her new trainer acknowledged Beckett's work with the filly.

Loughnane said: “She's strengthened up loads over the last month. She arrived with us from Mr. Beckett's in great order, and we're very privileged and lucky to have a horse of her caliber in the yard. I think she'd go on any ground. I said beforehand that she's a Group horse and deserved a Group win beside her name – and I'm delighted she's proved herself today. The Amo team have thought a lot of her from day one. She was very impressive on debut, and you couldn't knock what she did at Royal Ascot.”

When asked about Hello You's future plans, Loughnane declared that connections have their sights set on a trip to the Breeders' Cup.

“I know Kia (Joorabchian) is very keen to potentially have a crack at the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Fillies Turf) in Del Mar in November. We've always felt she'll be better over 1-mile and she's just outstayed them today over the 7 furlongs.”

Newmarket trainer George Boughey has enjoyed a fantastic season, and he saddled both Cachet and Oscula to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Hello You (7/1) finished the 7-furlongs in 1:23:12, defeating eight rivals over a course listed as good-to-firm.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, the Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Hello You to start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, which will be run at 1-mile over the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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