Apterix

Apterix did well to win the lady riders’ 12-furlong race that opened proceedings at York last Saturday. Up in the front rank in the very early stages of the race, Brian Ellison’s horse was taken back by Laura Wilson out of the heat of the early battle. Even so, he still travelled keenly enough down the back straight and around the home turn.

Just behind the front rank as they straightened up for home, he was behind a wall of horses, so Wilson took him back and to his right, towards the stands side, in order that her horse could get a clear run at the leaders. Once in the clear, Apterix picked up well and finished powerfully to run down the leaders close home, coming from sixth place passing the furlong pole and going on to win by a half a length.

A useful novice hurdler for Ellison last season, this was just Apterix’s fourth run on the flat. Winner of a 12-furlong maiden at Thirsk in early May, he was just worn down close home by Gabrial The Duke – who is now rated 9lb higher than he was then – over a mile and six furlongs at Musselburgh last month on his last run before Saturday. That was off a mark of 80, he raced off 83 on Saturday and the handicapper has raised him 6lb for York’s win to a mark of 89, but that is still a mark off which he should be able to operate. He won with more in hand than the official margin of a half a length on Saturday, and he retains lots of scope for progression on the flat. He is entered in the Northumberland Plate, and he would be of interest in that off a light weight if he gets into it. Even if he doesn’t, he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

13th June 2015