3 minute read
Easy victory for Sceptical at Naas
The Denis Hogan-trained Sceptical (4 g ex Jealous Again by Trippi) proved too strong in the Woodlands Stakes (Listed, 5.5f) at Naas on Monday and in the process handed Exceed And Excel (Danehill) with his 172nd stakes winner.
Now the winner of four of his five career starts, the four-year-old gelding pulled clear in the closing stages to beat the Zhang Yuesheng-owned Southern Horse (Roman Ruler) by three lengths with another Buffer Zone (Bated Breath) in third.
Purchased by his owner James McAuley at the Goffs UK August Sale, the gelding is out of Group 2 winner Jealous Again (Trippi), making him a half-brother to Group 3-placed filly Queen Of Sicily (Cape Cross).
The gelding’s third dam is Listed scorer Sinister Spinster (Sinister Purpose), while further back this is the family of Grade 2 winners Yamakatsu Ace (King Kamehameha), Cruising Kat (Katahaula County) and Except For Wanda (Tejabo).
Exceed And Excel will stand the upcoming breeding season at Darley’s Kelvinside base for a career high fee of $132,000 (inc GST) and he will be joined on the roster this year by his Group 1-winning son Microphone, who will stand for an introductory fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
Full replay and reaction: Bargain buy Sceptical slashed for Ascot sprints after stylish @NaasRacecourse victory Watch what @d_g_hogan had to say afterwards >>> https://t.co/qdrIAZAEIh pic.twitter.com/hUlCCQPhiZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 8, 2020
