Poppy Foxy captures valuable Goodwood prize

Rossa Ryan timed his challenge to perfection as Poppy Foxy got up on the line to deny Zigazig Ah and spring a 25-1 surprise in the British EBF £100,000 2YO Fillies’ Series Final at Goodwood.

Zigazig Ah was always prominent in behind the early pace set by Coral Cove and was travelling smoothly when Saffie Osborne went for home approaching the furlong marker.

But she found nothing for pressure in the final half-furlong as the Charlie Clover-trained Poppy Foxy reeled her in and got up in the dying strides to collar Super Sprint winner Zigazig Ah by a head, with Eabha a further short-head back in third.

To rub salt into the wounds, Osborne had partnered the Bungle Inthejungle filly to victory on her last outing at Lingfield.

Clover said: “It was a beautiful ride, wasn’t it? We’ve gone from the front a couple of times and it was tempting from that good draw, but both times we’ve done that we’ve run with the choke out slightly.

“Saffie had her really well worked out last time when she won at Lingfield, she just managed to get a bit of cover and she jumps very sharp for a big filly. Rossa did exactly that, executed it perfectly and found a perfect spot and timed it to perfection as you’d expect from someone as world class as himself.

“I said to Saffie it’s only fair for you to let some people win occasionally, but she’s taken it well!”

He added: “She’s entered in the Prix des Reservoirs in October, it’s a Group Three in Chantilly so we’ll see how we go.”

Respond galloped his rivals into submission as he made all under Oisin Murphy in the Virgin Bet Foundation Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained 6-4 favourite was asked for more as they hit the furlong marker and he stretched clear with Boiling Point and Naqeeb unable to lay on glove on him as the Highclere-owned gelding galloped away to a four-and-three-quarter-length victory.

Balding told Racing TV: “I’m thrilled for this horse because he’s threatened to be a decent horse and getting him to do things the right way round has taken a bit of time. Oisin did a beautiful job today and he’s very good when he’s relaxing.

“He’s got an entry in the horses-in-training sale so we’re going to have to see what we do if we go before, but obviously that showcased him pretty well today. Possibly something like the St Simon might work if we had time or wanted to take the risk, but it would be a risk if he’s going to the sales.”

Ahead of his upcoming wedding this weekend, Pulborough trainer David Menuisier brought an 80-day drought to an end with Tribal Chief (11-4) winning the Heineken Handicap in the hands of William Buick.