George Boogie has set his sights on winning next season's 2,000 Guineas with Bow Echo after he battled Publish in a thrilling crescendo in the Ascendant Stakes.
Pictured: Billy Loughnane on board the Bow Echo
Next year's 2,000 Guineas will be Bow Echo's main target after George Boaghey's impressive youngster lived up to his lofty reputation with victory in the Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes at Haydock.
After being re-routed from the Solario Stakes at Sandown last week, John and Teddy Gosden's Publish was initially favourite for the one-mile contest, but continued support from Bow Echo – a dominant winner on his debut at Newbury three weeks ago – saw him beat the market leader by 5-6.
Betting fans will have been smiling as the Night Of Thunder colt took the lead under Billy Loughnane approaching the final two furlongs and although Publick looked set to overtake him late in the day, Bow Echo found more rein when thrown into the contest and was a length ahead going into the home straight.
Bowie didn't go to Merseyside, but was delighted with what he saw.
“He's a fine horse who has shown a lot of ability in his home country but he's perhaps a little green,” said the Newmarket groom.
“He probably didn't learn much on his Newbury debut and has only had one job since then.
Billy felt he really needed something to give him a longer-term advantage at Newbury and that was the case today. Publick looked like he was going for the win but our horse was waiting for him and came out on top.
“I'm delighted to make him a Stakes winner for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid [owner] as he is a homebred stallion from a good family.”
While Publish runs major races at Royal Lodge and Dewhurst in Newmarket, Bow Echo does not, with Bowie keen to take a patient approach to a horse he believes is a legitimate Classic contender.
He added: “I think we'll just see how he does in the race. The reason we haven't entered him in these races [Royal Lodge and Dewhurst] is because we think he's a very promising horse for next year.”
“We could probably get him back into the running this year, but I'd be happy to wait and have him out in the Guineas next spring.
“He's got great speed, he's a Guinea horse, and that's what we're going to train him for.”
Sourse: skysports.com
