'We might start her back in an Oaks trial' - That’s Amore has connections dreaming after runaway debut success

Ralph Beckett floated the idea of an Oaks trial next year for That’s Amore following her eyecatching debut success in the mile fillies' novice.

Purchased for 180,000gns as a yearling, the daughter of New Bay was the most convincing scorer of the day as she powered six lengths clear of second favourite Celestial Pearl in second.

Beckett said: "She’s a sister of Richard Hannon’s Persica, so she’ll get a mile and a quarter, and we’ll see how she’s working in the spring before maybe starting her in an Oaks trial and go from there.

"This is generally a good race and normally it throws up a good filly or two. Secret Gesture came out of this race 12 years ago. I’m not saying she’s as good as her, but if she’s got some of her ability then we’ll be all right."

It proved to be a successful day for the in-form trainer, who landed the first part of a double when Max Vega scored a shock 22-1 victory in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes.

Smiles all round

Harry Davies praised the workrate of Make You Smile after he finished on the right side of a photo-finish in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes.

Davies was locked in battle with Tom Marquand and Yaroogh towards the line, but the Hugo Palmer-trained juvenile stuck his head in front to maintain his unbeaten record.

After scoring his third Group win of the year, Davies said: "I wasn’t totally sure [after the photo-finish]. I just put my head down and didn’t bother looking. When I pulled up and saw the camera on me I was delighted. I was just hoping the cameraman was right."

He added: "Once the horses in front of me started to tire, he really motored in that last furlong. He’s got a lot of talent and I’m sure he’ll improve again."

Ollie Sangster: could also be tempted by a Trial with his Newbury winner

Ollie Sangster: could be tempted by a trial with his Newbury winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Exciting prospect

Ollie Sangster may have unearthed a filly with potential in Ellaria Sand, who registered a second course win in the Listed Radley Stakes.

It was only her third start since joining the yard from Archie Watson, but the two-year-old took a huge step forward and Sangster felt the testing conditions played to her strengths.

Sangster said: "We thought this step up in trip would help – she was crying out for seven furlongs. We knew she’d like the ground.

"She’ll be done for the year, but we’ll bring her back in the spring and we might go for a trial."

Jumping next

Alan King is looking towards a hurdling campaign for Nap Hand following his second win in three appearances in the 1m2f handicap.

The four-year-old has yet to race over jumps but King is confident he can make a successful transition.

He said: "I was a bit worried about the ground, but he’s due to go jumping and I thought we may as well find out how he'd do on on it. I’m surprised he handled it as well as he did, but it opens up plenty of doors for us and I think his next run will be over hurdles."

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