Night Raider seemed to mature dramatically on the Rowley Mile, delivering a commanding performance in the HKJC World Pool Palace House Stakes. The Karl Burke‑trained colt, a son of Dark Angel and owned by Wathnan Racing, has always been held in high regard, yet his most recent victory dated back to 2024 and he was gelded during the winter break.
This alteration appears to have worked wonders; he approached the Newmarket preliminaries with calm composure, broke cleanly from the stalls, and surged ahead to win by half a length at 9‑1 odds, edging out the market favourite and defending champion Rumstar, who finished a length behind. Burke explained the rationale behind the gelding, noting, "We attempted to stretch him out to a mile, but he was simply too eager, too free‑spirited and too difficult to manage. Gelding him has, in a strange way, given him a more mature temperament. He’s about ten kilograms lighter than last season and looked superb in the paddock.
I knew that if he could jump quickly and settle into a smooth rhythm, he would handle the undulating track, and he did exactly that. Last year, as an entire horse, he was restless in the stalls; the procedure seems to have soothed that edge." Hollie Doyle highlighted the upcoming Shergar Cup at Ascot on Sky Sports Racing, while Kevin Doyle discussed a former Premier League striker’s ambitions at the Cheltenham Festival. In other racing news, Kalpana triumphed over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Ryan Moore received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Benvenuto Cellini leads Aidan O'Brien’s quartet for the Epsom Derby, and Richard Brown of Wathnan Racing will be thrilled with Night Raider’s performance, having placed considerable faith in the gelding.
Burke added, "I’m thinking of targeting Ascot’s King Charles III Stakes. He’s also entered in York’s Minster Stakes, but that may be too soon. I suspect he’ll stay six furlongs, and it will be interesting to hear James Doyle’s thoughts.
I never imagined we’d turn him around so quickly." Looking ahead to the Royal meeting, Jonathan Portman reflected on Rumstar’s narrow failure to defend his Palace House title, saying, "He ran brilliantly, just as well as when he won. It was unfortunate he had to shift lanes, though he secured a good position on the far side. I’m proud of him.
He loves this track; a stiff five furlongs suits him, whereas an easy five is a bit sharp, and six furlongs isn’t ideal. We’ll now focus on Ascot, though limited travel preferences of the owners restrict our options.
Still, I’m proud – he’s a special horse." Australian sprinter Asfoora’s lackluster run was attributed to insufficient match fitness. Lemos De Souza, temporarily overseeing the training of the Royal Ascot and Nunthorpe winner for Henry Dwyer, expects the popular visitor to hit peak form in her next start. "Oisin Murphy said she blew up, and as we’ve seen before she needs a couple of races to become fully fit.
Over an easy five furlongs she could have placed, but this was a stiff five and without 100% fitness it’s a challenge. The easier the five, the better she performs, but fitness is essential.
On form she was the best horse in the race, just not at her true level. We hope to target the Temple Stakes at Haydock, which suits her perfectly, and expect her to show her best there," De Souza explained. Local trainer T.J. Kent celebrated a red‑letter win when Erzindjan captured the Betfred Suffolk Stakes.
The eight‑year‑old, a former Cambridgeshire runner‑up, started at 17‑2 under jockey Ray Dawson and edged out John and Thady Gosden’s Fifth Column by half a length. Kent said, "He performed admirably in the Cambridgeshire and the John Smith’s Cup last year.
I love York, so I enjoy racing there when I can. His form has been outstanding both here and with his trainer in Dubai, so we believed he had a genuine chance. Ray gave him an excellent ride. It’s wonderful to have a winner on such a day and it shows we’re heading in the right direction.
As a trainer, this ranks among my biggest victories. Saturday winners are what every trainer dreams of.
We’ve had success at the Shergar Cup and with other decent horses, but this proves that if we receive quality horses, our team can deliver. I’ll discuss his future with the owner – perhaps another John Smith’s Cup or similar targets are on the agenda." Andrew Balding enjoyed an early double on 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket, with Flora Of Bermuda and Double Rush both shining on the Rowley Mile.
Flora Of Bermuda opened the action in the Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes, edging out Rosy Affair in the final strides. The mare, stepping down to Listed class after a season at the highest level, started at 7‑2 with James Doyle aboard. As the race unfolded, Rosy Affair, trained by George Boughey, seemed poised to win after a bold front‑running effort, but Flora of Bermuda rallied to claim a head victory. Balding praised her versatility: "She deserved it – she handles any ground and condition.
It’s great to see her back in front; it sets us up nicely for the rest of the year. I was concerned George’s horse might have taken it from the front, but James timed his ride perfectly. I hope she continues to improve and keeps contesting the big races, hopefully with a bit of luck." The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting saw the favourite’s odds cut from 20‑1 to 16‑1 shortly before the start. Balding added, "We’ll likely head straight to Ascot now, given the brief for Wathnan horses, so we look forward to that." The Kingsclere stable struck again when 4‑6 favourite Double Rush followed up his decisive win on the track and over the distance last month, delivering another strong performance under Shane Foley in the Betfred Handicap.
"He’s a very nice horse and everything went smoothly; he performed brilliantly," Balding said. "This was exactly the plan after his previous win. Entries closed early and we were well‑placed. It’s an important meeting to secure winners, and the team was eager to run him.
The field was quite competitive, and I’m thrilled with his execution. He may even step up to a Group race next." Overall, the Newmarket meeting showcased a mix of seasoned campaigners finding new life after gelding, emerging talent poised for Ascot, and local trainers achieving breakthrough victories, underscoring the depth and excitement of the British flat racing season.