Cloud Cover dazzles in BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap

Cloud Cover (10/1) produced a sensational display when quickening from last to first under an ice-cool Clifford Lee ride in the BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap.

Wearing a hood for the first time after finishing fifth on Lingfield Park’s AWC Trials Day, the James Tate-trained filly was anchored at the rear as Just A Spark (8/1) led the field up the stands’ side.

Just A Spark continued to enjoy herself in front and looked to have repelled all challenges deep into the final furlong.

Cloud Cover had to wait to deliver her challenge but unleashed a superb turn of foot after finding room, powering through the field in a matter of strides.

Cloud Cover reeled in Just A Spark half a furlong out before going on to score by a cosy length. Summer Of Shades (7/2), who was chasing a £75,000 bonus following AWC Trials Day wins at Newcastle and Lingfield Park, took third, with 7/4F Nine Tenths only able to finish sixth.

Philip Robinson, representing winning owner Saeed Manana, said: “Cloud Cover was a bit unfortunate last time. James and Rossa [Ryan] felt she got to the front too soon.

“She has to come late, and when Clifford came into the paddock and asked what his orders are, I said, ‘ride as if you want to be placed and then try to win the race, just don’t get there too soon’.

Clifford got it absolutely perfect. “I don’t know about plans. James will be speaking to the owner and they will have a discussion. I would not be in a rush [to retire her] because she is still progressing.”

Clifford Lee said: “I spoke to James earlier and he said, ‘whatever you do, do not hit the front a furlong out’. In the first half of the race, I was just trying to get her settled. I did not get a gap, which has sort of done me a favour, because I just held onto her a little bit more.

“It is a long last furlong here and positions can change very quickly. She does all of her best work on the bridle and, when she does hit the front, she sort of idles a little bit.

Asked whether the hood made a significant difference, he said: “Yes it does make a bit of a difference. Tracks like this, normally they go a little bit slow, but we went an even gallop, and it probably just helped her to settle a bit for the first half of the race.”

Oisin Murphy said of Just A Spark: “It was a great run. She relaxed well in front and picked up, but the seven furlongs just stretched her.”

Cloud Cover wins the BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap (credit: Grossick Racing Photography)

3.00pm BetMGM Fillies’ & Mares’ Championships Handicap

1 Cloud Cover (Saeed Manana) James Tate 4-9-01 Clifford Lee 10/1

2 Just A Spark (Next Ones A Grey Partnership) Rod Millman 4-8-10 8/1

3 Shades Of Summer (Jastar Capital Limited) Jane Chapple-Hyam 5-9-00 Laura Pearson 7/2

9 ran

7/4F Nine Tenths (6th) James Tate – 1st Finals Day winner

Clifford Lee – 2nd Finals Day winner