BOUGHEY BANKS ON SPARK TO FLY AT BEVERLEY

Trainer George Boughey believes Evocative Spark can go one place better than at Beverley last week when he returns to the Westwood this Thursday.

The three-year-old son of Frankel looked destined to win the seven-and-a-half-furlong handicap at the first meeting of the season, but was collared late on by Foden.

Evocative Spark now bids for redemption in the feature race on the card, the £14,000 Alan McGuiness And Robin Lunness Memorial Handicap (2.30).

Newmarket-based Boughey said:

“It was always going to be quite hard to win from where he was last week, but he did it well.

“Had he been a bit closer (to the rail), I imagine he would have run out quite a ready winner.

“He’s backing up relatively quickly, but we can at least run him with a bit more restraint this time.

“The times were quite fast last week at Beverley and I imagine it will be quite quick again, so conditions should be in his favour.

“He’s in good nick and goes to Beverley with a favourite’s chance.”

Likely favourite Evocative Spark is one of five runners in the big seven-and-a-half-furlong handicap and will again be ridden by Ben Curtis.

I’m A Gambler, trained by Charlie and Mark Johnston, heads the weights, while Animato (David O’Meara) sports the famous red-and-white silks of Cheveley Park Stud.

Ana Gold (Richard Fahey) and the Tim Easterby-trained Matty Two, owned by Beverley resident Brian Valentine, complete the line-up.

Boughey, one of the rising young stars within the training ranks, also saddles Coraje in the opening race for juvenile fillies over five furlongs at 1.20.

The daughter of Expert Eye looked raw on her debut at Kempton in March but she stayed on nicely to finish third behind Ocean Cloud.

Boughey said: “She’s come on from Kempton as she was quite backward in her coat that day. 

“This is going to be a big test for her, from where she’ll be starting in the race, but she’s well enough to go forward from Kempton and hopefully she’ll go well.

“She’s going to want six furlongs in time, but it’s quite a stiff test over five furlongs at Beverley so the track might play to her strengths.”

Coraje takes on 13 rivals that includes the Darryll Holland-trained Primrose Ridge, who has finished second on both of her visits to a racecourse this season.

Commenting upon Thursday's second meeting of the season, Joe Pollak, Beverley marketing and partnerships manager, said:

“We were delighted to get the 2022 season under way at Beverley Racecourse.

“There were some great finishes last week, with the dead-heat between Strangerontheshore and Holy Endeavour the obvious highlight.

“We are really looking forward to Thursday’s meeting, with seven competitive races on what is a really interesting card.

“The weather is set fair with sunny spells and highs of 14C. Tickets are still available to book in advance and will also be available on the gate. It should be a great day.”

Photo credit, Hannah Ali