Branstonrecord bid fails

Carranita was the mare who called the shots at York yesterday as Branston Abby failed to create a slice of history. Branston Abby was sent off 15-8 favourite to match the post-war best of 22 wins by a mare recorded by Laurel Queen. But she could finish only fourth as Carranita, ridden by the in-form Tim Sprake stole the show, sprinting home by four lengths from Daring Destiny in the Manchester-Singapore Summer Stakes.

All is not lost for Branston Abby who will soon be back on the record trail, while Carranita, bought for just 800 guineas, will try to secure a Group race win. She was registering the 13th victory of her career and her third in a Listed race.

"Our trainer, Bryn Palling, has done marvellously well to keep her going. We were thinking about retiring her," her part-owner, Paul Young, said. "But she's done so well we might keep her going next season and we'll try and win a little Group race with her."

Branston Abby's main aim will be the Haydock Park Sprint Trophy in which she finished second last year. And there is every possibility that she will race on next season.

n Coastal Bluff is the new favourite for the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood three weeks today after his victory at York yesterday. David Barron's sprinter is quoted at 7-1 (from 14-1) by William Hill and 8-1 (from 16- 1) by Ladbrokes.

n John Hills attempts to capture another big overseas prize with Glide Path in the pounds 50,000 Ulster Harp Derby at Down Royal today. "He won the pounds 50,000 Stockholm Cup last year and it would be nice to knock another one in the bag," the trainer said. Fears have been expressed for Northern Ireland's biggest race due to current unrest in the province.