Matteo bidding to back up debut Beverley impression Matteo seeks to progress from what was a most impressive course and distance victory on debut when he targets the Beverley Two Year Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes on Saturday. The Coulsty colt breezed to a four-and-three-quarter-length success on his sole appearance to date and while he faces a sharp increase in class on his return to the East Yorkshire track, Adam Ryan, who is assistant trainer to his father, Kevin, hopes there is more to come. “He was great on debut. It will be another step up in grade, there will be some nice entries in the race. He’s got course form and it was a logical race to go for,” he said. “He’s got a great attitude, he was very professional. He can progress a lot and it is nice to see him back out.” Clash Of Hearts performed with credit when outrunning his 16-1 odds to claim the runner-up spot in a valuable novice race during the Dante Festival at York, and trainer Adrian Keatley is excited by the prospect he has at Wold House Stables. “He ran a blinder at York and he came on a ton for that,” Keatley said. “He’s a big, strong colt, he was quick out of the gates, he was working hard from early on but stayed at it and was impressive crossing the line, so we are happy for him to take his chance and we’re looking forward to running him. “Five furlongs will be no problem to him and he’s a big boy, he’d have learned a load from York. “He has a big future ahead of him. We had his half-brother Symbol Of Strength (winner of the Group Three Sirenia Stakes before being sold to Hong Kong), who is very good, and we think this fella could go on and be as good, hopefully.” Another horse arriving on the Westwood following a winning debut is the Richard and Peter Fahey-trained Big Cigar, who came out on top by a length at Newcastle earlier this month. “He only ran the other day, but we were quite keen to give him a go here,” Fahey senior said. “We are pleased with him and we are still learning about him to be honest, we’ve only had him five or six weeks. “But he’s in good form and looking forward to seeing him run. I’d have liked to have been drawn a little bit lower if you could, but you can’t change that. “It’s a stiff five furlongs and you need plenty of speed – he has plenty of speed. We could have started with five (furlongs), but there were no races for him. “We are still learning and I don’t know what we are going to do, but I thought he beat them well and could improve. We’ll find out on Saturday.” Michael Dods’ Arapaho Gold puts his unbeaten record on the line, The Dancing Pirate lines up for Andrew Balding and Blue Pete makes his debut for Mick Appleby. Wait Geordie bids to get back in the winner’s enclosure for Hugo Palmer, Martial Order makes his turf debut for Karl Burke, while Nigel Tinkler’s course and distance winner Ronson and Concert Pitch, trained by Brian Ellison, complete the 10-runner field.
