Dash delight for Katie Scott with Naana’s Shadow Naana’s Shadow got the better of a ding-dong final furlong battle with Schroedinger’s Cat to land the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap at York. The Katie Scott-trained winner took the three-year-old Dash at Epsom on Oaks day last time out and added the Knavesmire version, getting home at odds of 16-5 by a short head under Oisin Murphy. In a race where it paid to be prominent with nothing landing a blow from off the pace, the pair pulled clear in the final 150 yards, with Manatee Mehmas a further two and three-quarter lengths away in third. Scott said: “She’s so fast, there’s nothing else to say and she’s so straightforward. “She helps herself and it was good today to see her do it on quick ground because when they perform really well on slow ground and go back to quick ground they can lose their speed. She’s done absolutely everything right there. “I don’t know how she’s been on a really stiff five, but to be fair she was getting there all the time today, so maybe it will open a few more doors. She’s the fastest horse that I’ve ever sat on. She’s definitely improving and it would be nice to think about black type by the end of the summer.” She added: “This morning at 11.30 there was only 10 in a sprint (HKJC World Pool Battaash Handicap) on Friday at Sandown, so depending how she is she might go. I’d like to see her around Chester, I think it would really suit her.” Sirocco Sands Demolishes Rivals to Set Up Gimcrack Target Sirocco Sands (9-2) made the trip across the Irish Sea a worthwhile one with victory in the opening Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Novice Stakes. The David Marnane-trained Persian Force colt hit the front at the furlong pole and niggled along by Robbie Colgan on his first ride on the Knavesmire galloped on to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory. Jimmy Nolan, representing owning syndicate MRC International, said: “David spotted this opportunity and I was really impressed with the horse to be honest with you. I was looking at Robbie and he was (sat) still right until one and a half out and then just pushed the button. “To win here by two and a half lengths is a fair statement I’d say! David has loved him from the start “It’s just hugely exciting to have horses that can come here and compete and I’ll be advocating that he comes back for the Gimcrack! It’s hard to come up here and win and we’re really excited by it.” Estrange Secures Group One Glory Amid Quickfire Doubles Kevin Ryan’s Cadarn (28-1) made all in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap, holding off the late challenge of Andesite by a neck. My Ballyquinn (9-2) helped provide David O’Meara with a quickfire across-the-card double in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap. Moments before Estrange broke her Group One duck in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, the New Bay gelding got up inside the final furlong to collar long-time leader Who’s Lope and won going away by half a length. Meanwhile, champion jockey Murphy secured a double when partnering even-money favourite Hallo Spaceboy to victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sprint Handicap, while the Tim Easterby-trained Double Parked (9-2) landed the concluding Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap in the hands of the trainer’s son, Thomas.
