Racing: Missel misses out

(First Edition)

MISSEL disappointed his trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam when flopping in the Mtoto Donnington Castle Conditions Stakes at Newbury yesterday. The favourite, a strong-finishing third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, finished a well below-beaten fourth.

The colt seemed to travelling best of all approaching two furlongs out but found nothing when pressure was applied and came home three and a quarter lengths behind the winner Above The Cut who, an easy scorer on his Kempton Park debut for his trainer Peter Harris, could return to Newbury for the Washington Singer or go to Sandown Park for the Solario Stakes next time.

Chapple-Hyam later told the stewards that Missel had been struck into but the colt was nevertheless routine tested after running well below his Ascot form. Chapple-Hyam later gained compensation when Flowerdrum made a winning debut in the Listed Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Rose Bowl Stakes.

The filly, by Sadler's Wells out of a mare who produced the top class sprinter/miler Last Tycoon, obviously has a bright future.