Lahinch just held at Newbury David Wachman's raider Lahinch Classics was just held as Volume handled the step up to Listed level in style when making every yard in the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial at Newbury. Lahinch Classics was having just her third start after finishing third in a Leopardstown juvenile maiden last year behind My Titania before winning at Dundalk on her seasonal bow last month. The Luca Cumani-trained Volume, beaten in a handicap which has worked out well last time out, was given a clever rider by Richard Hughes. He steadily increased the pace in the straight as gradually his rivals dropped away one by one, and though Lahinch Classics looked ready to pounce, with Wayne Lordan appearing confident at the furlong pole, she could never quite get on terms and the 9-4 favourite held on by a neck. Hadaatha was two lengths away in third. The winner was cut to 20-1 from 33s for the Oaks by Paddy Power but Sara Cumani, the trainer's wife, sounded a warning note over Epsom. "The idea was to possibly make the running if nobody else wanted to and just ride her forgetting about what else was in the field. Richard Hughes said she jumped out nicely, found herself in front and he was happy to make the running on her," she said. "He asked her to go a nice easy pace as she has a high cruising speed, and she's very genuine and did it well. We're thrilled and it's very good for the owner. (There are) no plans as to where we'll go next although Richard did say he thought she wouldn't handle Epsom." Hughes doubled up on Kastini (5-4 favourite) in the second division of the Al Basti Equiworld Handicap.
