Alyssa digs deep at Ascot

Ralph Beckett’s golden touch with fillies was evident once again as Alyssa caused a minor shock in the Londonmetric Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot.

Having won three races on the bounce in mid-summer Beckett stepped her up in class for the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster but she was well beaten.

In against colts she looked to have a stiff task on her hands and was sent off at 8-1 against 6-4 favourite Platitude in the Listed contest.

She was always travelling strongly and took over at the head of affairs two furlongs out, but on her outside Mark Johnston’s Fireglow challenged and then the favourite came up her inner.

Headed inside the final furlong, the winner dug very deep for Fran Berry and edged out Fireglow by a nose, with the pair eventually pulling a length and a quarter clear of Platitude.

Beckett said: “In the Park Hill, she was drawn low and got in behind horses, and horses around her, and never ran her race as a result of that.

“She’s just happier with a bit of space, so to go three wide round here and win was a probably a good shout. I’m thrilled it’s come right, as the Park Hill was a blow-out. She’s come a long way in a relatively short space of time.”

Looking to future plans, Beckett said: “I doubt we’ll supplement her for Champions Day, the obvious race for her would be the Long Distance Cup and we are mob-handed in that with Simple Verse.

“You’d have a think. Travelling her abroad might be a …

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