No Nay Never Colt On Top In Gimcrack Stakes

Lake Forest (2c No Nay Never - Lady Aquitaine, by El Prado) became the latest Group-winning juvenile from the Scat Daddy sire line when taking the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York on Friday.

A smart debut winner in June, the William Haggas-trained colt went on to finish second in the Group 2 July Stakes and had excuses when disappointing next time out. Reunited with Tom Marquand at York, he raced towards the back of the field in the early stages and began to make headway from three furlongs out. Ridden to lead approaching the final furlong, he ran on strongly to score by a length from Windsor Castle Stakes runner-up Johannes Brahms.

William Haggas later confirmed that the Middle Park Stakes would be the target for Lake Forest, though the Silver Racing-owned colt could potentially run again in the interim. The progressive colt was bred by Sahara Group Holdings out of a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Roderic O’Connor (Galileo).

Aidan O’Brien may have had to settle for runners-up honours in the Gimcrack Stakes, but gained a win later on the card with Battle Cry (2c No Nay Never - I’ll Have Another, by Dragon Pulse).

The son of No Nay Never finished a close second last time out and was well-supported to get off the mark in the valuable maiden over seven furlongs. Ridden prominently by Ryan Moore, he quickened approaching the two furlong marker and was driven to lead a furlong from home. Keeping on well, he led by a length and a quarter on the line.

The maiden has been won by some smart type in the past, with recent winners including Hoo Ya Mal and Naval Crown. A step up in class is presumably next on the cards for Battle Cry, who holds entries in a number of Group races, including the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. Bred by Lynch Bages, the son of No Nay Never is owned by Coolmore partners with Westerberg.