Progressive Son Of Calyx Makes All To Land Valuable Prize

Nellie Leylax (3g Calyx – Lovelocks, by High Chaparral) produced an impressive front-running performance to win the £100,000 Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock on Saturday.

Tom Dascombe’s charge was a useful juvenile and returned last month to win in good style over Saturday’s course and distance. Sent off joint-favourite under Pierre-Louis Jamin, the bay made virtually all of the running and was ridden when boasting a clear lead approaching the final furlong. He kept on well to score by a length and a half, with another four lengths back to the third.

“It's absolutely unbelievable, just incredible,” said Scott Burkert of winning owners Millenial Racing. “We got involved for a bit of a laugh, a bit of fun with the family. But bang! He's won £110,000 in a year. You can't write it.”

Sunday’s win came off an official rating of 92, and with a rise now on the cards, connections are considering the Brittania Stakes at Royal Ascot. The progressive three-year-old is the highest-rated performer bred by Glenvale Stud and Edgeridge Ltd out Lovelocks (High Chaparral), who has a two-year-old filly by Ten Sovereigns.

Nellie Leylax hails from the impressive first crop of Calyx, which is headlined by Group 2 winners Classic Flower and Persian Dreamer. The top sprinter is also responsible for Group 1 performer Eben Shaddad, Group 2 runner-up Malc and leading Irish 1,000 Guineas contender Purple Lily.