Efsixteen takes flight and sets up Ascot tilt

George Scott has his eye on Royal Ascot after new signing Efsixteen took flight in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Bought for 350,000 guineas at the recent Craven Breeze-Up sales, the daughter of Havana Grey was sent off 11-4 in the hands of Oisin Murphy and showed a professional attitude to register a half-length success.

The Eve Lodge handler now intends to give the exciting prospect another start, while also weighing up a move up to six furlongs, bringing the Albany Stakes into the equation.

Scott said: “She did everything right and cruised through the race like a good one with the right man on board.

“She hit the front early enough and just rolled around a little bit.

“We’re lucky to have her and have just pointed her in the right direction for the last couple of weeks. Havana Grey is an amazing stallion who just does it at every level.

“I thought she would run well and has done that. She will have one more run before Royal Ascot to get a bit more experience and I also think she might get six furlongs. I think she’s probably more an Albany filly and there’s a novice at Yarmouth that she will probably go to on the way.”

Also with the Royal meeting on the agenda is Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Napa after the son of Naval Crown built on his encouraging Newbury fourth to land the Tattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes.

The 7-2 chance reversed form with Clive Cox’s Jaan Ki Tukri when sealing a length and a half verdict, with the Freemason Lodge handler now intending to prime the youngster for the Windsor Castle Stakes at the summer showpiece.

Philippart De Foy said: “He looked very green at Newbury so I said to David (Egan, jockey) keep it simple and keep going forward as he works well from the front at home.

“I think that Newbury race was a decent race and I’m glad he has backed it up today.

“He’s a horse who has always shown a fair bit of speed and I think he will stay six furlongs.

“I always train my horses to improve for their first run and I was a little bit concerned by the quick ground today but I think when you get in a nice rhythm on the front end it’s always easier.

“He will step up to six at Ascot and he looked professional enough today, so maybe we take a pull now, but I will speak with David before making a final plan. The Windsor Castle would be the aim and it’s now working back from it and seeing what we do.”

Elsewhere, Saffie Osborne followed in her father Jamie’s footsteps by successfully linking up with Nicky Henderson, steering Goblet Of Fire to a commanding win in the Betfred Handicap.

Jamie Osborne rode many Grade One winners for the Seven Barrows handler before turning his attentions to training and his daughter continued her fine run of form in the saddle aboard the 4-1 chance who took full advantage of a feather weight.

Osborne said: “It’s really cool to ride Nicky a winner and from living in Lambourn I’ve known Nicky and Sophie my whole life and of course dad used to ride plenty for Nicky – I’ve heard all about Remittance Man.

“I would say it’s probably the first trainer me and dad have both won for and that is pretty cool.

“Nicky made me aware I didn’t want to be hitting the front too soon and in the end he’s done it nicely but there was a point I thought I might have been a bit too far forward.

“I was happy the gap would appear and he travelled so well he made my life easy.”

Having won the opening Pretty Polly Stakes with Jennifer Jane (11-2), Charlie Johnston doubled up with Evanesco (9-2) in the concluding HKJC World Pool Handicap.