Speedy Nouvel Espoir records fourth career win Nouvel Espoir recorded his fourth win at the minimum trip when taking the Ampion Electrical Test And Solar Handicap at Down Royal. The Jimmy Barcoe-trained gelding, supported on track from 4/1 into 3/1, came home strongly on the outer under Shay Wallace to beat Verified by a length and three-quarters. Spirit Of Eagles completed the places a further neck back in third. Barcoe was leading up the six-year-old and Wallace commented, “I knew it (rain) wouldn't bother him too much, so I was happy coming up here. I was confident and he has done it well. "I know him well. Obviously, I had a winner on him last year and I rode him plenty of times throughout the year. "I spoke to Dylan Browne (McMonagle) beforehand, and he just said to keep it plain and simple and to take my time on him and he said he would run a great race for me. "In fairness, he put his head down when I asked him to go and he hit the line well. "Judging off the form of a couple of horses in the race, I thought they were going to go hard. Jimmy said to me to take my time and there was no need to rush. Get in and get comfortable, he said, and don't worry for the first three furlongs. Be nice and relaxed and go at the '2' pole. "I'm still down with Joseph O'Brien and loving every day of it down there. Cheering home all the winners (in Royal Ascot), some training performance. With all the jockeys down there, you learn a lot. Every single person inside there has been a great help, and long may it last for all the good success." Quotes by Michael Graham
