Impressive Gimcrack Success For Panis's Sands of Mali

Sands Of Mali | Racing Post

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Introduced over this course and distance July 15, Sands of Mali was seventh without enjoying the run of the race and took a mighty leap forward next time when beating the subsequent Listed St Hugh's S. winner Eirene (GB) (Declaration of War) by 3 3/4 lengths as that pair finished well clear of the remainder on soft ground again over this trip at Nottingham Aug. 3. Attracting some support into 14-1, the bay ran like one at much shorter odds as he belied his inexperience by dominating this prestigious prize. Allowed to bowl along at the fore by Paul Hanagan as fellow outsider Stormbringer (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) kept him company, the imposing bay had all rivals stretched by the furlong pole where Invincible Army took over the chase from Cardsharp. Turning the screw further as the line neared, he was firmly in command there in a highly respectable time considering the ground was reportedly still a touch dead in places. “He's still very inexperienced, but he pinged the gates and showed a great cruising speed then went again,” his rider said. “He took some pulling up, which is always a good sign and I think this year is just a bonus. He's a bit of a shell and a big horse who can only go on to improve.”

Trainer Richard Fahey was gaining recompense for some near-misses in one of his big local races and said, “I've been second in it three times I think, even with Ribchester, so I've been desperate to tick it off my list. I couldn't believe it when he got beat first time, but that's racing. He's in everything, like the [G1] Middle Park [S. at Newmarket Sept. 30] and what have you, it looks a big shout entering these horses when they've only won a maiden but you have to do it.”

Invincible Army's trainer James Tate said of the runner-up, “Having beaten Cardsharp and Headway, it represents a step up on his form. He's a big horse and can only keep on improving. We will look at the [G2] Mill Reef [S. at Newbury Sept. 23] and the Middle Park, but we want to avoid soft ground.” William Haggas said of Headway, “Judging on that run I think it's time to step him up in trip.”

Sands of Mali is by the Haras des Faunes-based G3 Prix de Conde and G3 Prix Messidor winner Panis, who is little-known on the international stage but who has enjoyed success in his native France with the likes of Myasun (Fr) and Maiguri (Ire). He becomes the first black-type scorer for the unraced Kadiania, whose dam Kapi Creek notched 12 wins from two to eight and was runner-up in the Listed Criterium de Bordeaux. Kapi Creek is in turn the best performer for Kirigane, who was a listed-placed half-sister to the G1 Clasico Malinche runner-up Ladakh (Fr) (Sir Gaylord). Next up from the dam is a yearling filly by Kheleyf named Kherizzia (Fr).

Saturday, York, Britain
AL BASTI EQUIWORLD GIMCRACK S.-G2, £225,000, YOR, 8-26, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:11.16, gd.
1–SANDS OF MALI (FR), 126, c, 2, by Panis
1st Dam: Kadiania (Fr), by Indian Rocket (GB)
2nd Dam: Kapi Creek (Fr), by Sicyos
3rd Dam: Kirigane (Fr), by Vitiges (Fr)
*1st stakes win. (€20,000 Ylg '16 OSLATE; £75,000 2yo '17 TATABR). O-The Cool Silk Partnership; B-Simon Urizzi (FR); T-Richard Fahey; J-Paul Hanagan. £127,598. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $168,637. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Invincible Army (Ire), 126, c, 2, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Rajeem (GB), by Diktat (GB). (95,000gns Ylg '16 TATOCT; 290,000gns RNA 2yo '17 TATBRE). O-Saeed Manana; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-James Tate. £48,375.
(DH)-3–Cardsharp (GB), 129, c, 2, Lonhro (Aus)–Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill. O-Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Mark Johnston. £18,135.
(DH)-3–Headway (GB), 126, c, 2, Havana Gold (Ire)–On Her Way (GB), by Medicean (GB). (38,000gns Wlg '15 TATFOA; 60,000gns Ylg '16 TAOCT). O-The Royal Ascot Racing Club; B-Whatton Manor-Global Equine-Larry Stratton (GB); T-William Haggas. £18,135.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1, DHT. Odds: 14.00, 4.50, 5.00 & 4.50.
Also Ran: Staxton (GB), Nebo (Ire), Stormbringer (GB), Frozen Angel (Ire), That's a Surprise (Ire), Nobleman's Nest (GB). Scratched: De Bruyne Horse (GB), Grand Koonta (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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