Flash Fire burns the oppositon off Flash Fire (20-1) proved too hot for the opposition as he swept to victory in the totescoop6 Victoria Cup at Ascot. Godolphin's four-year-old, trained by Charlie Appleby, came with a storming run to lead over a furlong out and take this competitive handicap in good style. Related set a scorching pace on the far side but he was swamped in the final quarter of a mile. Flash Fire produced a fine turn of foot for Adam Kirby to hit the front and maintain the momentum to win by three-quarters of a length from Mutawathea. Buckstay stayed on strongly for third, with Dinkum Diamond fourth. Appleby regards Flash Fire as a seven-furlong specialist and is loath to bring him back for the Royal Hunt Cup over a mile. He said: "He came back from Dubai in such great order that I decided to run him at Newmarket and it was that run that put him where he was today. "I think the distance of the Hunt Cup would probably stretch him. I shall discuss with Adam, but my inclination is to target a big handicap over seven or run him over that specialist distance in a Listed, as I feel he's bordering on that level." It was the third victory on the card for Godolphin, with Elite Army and Reach High also successful, and Appleby said: "It's been a great day for Godolphin with Saeed's (bin Suroor) two earlier winners and I'm pleased to have added to the occasion." Kirby said of Flash Fire: "He got into a lovely rhythm, he lengthened well and stayed on strongly at the finish."
