Goodwood beckons for Believitanducan after Vase success

Believitanducan is likely to switch back to the turf in his attempt to back up his impressive victory in the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Vase at Newcastle on Saturday by making an appearance at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The Make Believe gelding continued his scintillating form since going back to the Flat after chalking up his third victory of the campaign in the extended two-miles test.

Sitting handy throughout the race, Believitanducan, who was sent off a 100-30 chance, was not for catching once sent on in the home straight by jockey William Buick.

Keeping up a resolute gallop all the way to the line, the Owners Group-owned gelding held off Haveyoumissedme by a length to back up his previous wins at Ascot and Chester.

Alan said: “It was great to see Believitanducan win the Vase at Newcastle. It looked pretty smooth from start to finish. He was always holding them, but he is a tough horse so I was thrilled with him.

“We will see how he comes out of it, but we will probably look at going to Goodwood next with him I would have thought. The only thing is that he wouldn’t want it too firm.

“It was good to see us keep up the good record we enjoy with William Buick as well. They kept talking about it on television on Saturday so it must be pretty good.”

Joining Believitanducan on the Sussex Downs is likely to be stablemate Wisper, who ran well in defeat when finishing third in her attempt to register a back-to-back wins in the Sri Lanka Paradise Island Handicap on Saturday.

Alan added: “She ran a solid race of what was a career high mark. She got beaten by an improving horse as the winner was pretty impressive.

“We will look at Goodwood with her as she has run well enough down there in the past.”