Denton Hall News

Commanche Falls hits the heights in Group 3 thriller at Newbury

The admirable Commanche Falls achieved Group 3 status today with a tenacious victory under a thrilling ride by Connor Beasley at Newbury.

In winning the bet365 Hackwood Stakes, the six-year-old gelding, trained at Denton by Michael Dods, has now had 11 victories - all of them ridden by Connor.

The jockey reported that the horse was hating the rain-softened ground but showed a tremendous attitude to squeeze through a gap close home and win by a head from Clive Cox's Diligent Harry.

He told ITV Racing's Mick Fitzgerald: "He wasn't enjoying the ground at all and was always behind the bridle. From the three to the two furlong pole, I didn't think he was going to pick up. I asked him to dig deeper and he was a bit squeezed for room but he did it nicely in the end."

After his heroics in winning back-to-back Stewards' Cups at Glorious Goodwood over the past two years, Commanche Falls found himself on a rating of 112, which makes life very difficult for him in handicaps. Connections have, therefore, opted to aim higher and the horse showed he was up to listed class by landing the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes at The Curragh at the start of July. Now, he has proved himself as a Group 3 performer in fine style with seemingly plenty more to come.

"If they don't make that next step up, you're in limbo, but he's got plenty of ability and is pretty versatile. He's a good horse to look forward to for the team," added Connor.

The jockey paid tribute to owners Doug Graham, Ian Davison and Alan Drysdale, who also own another stable star in Dakota Gold. "I can't thank them enough for supporting me ever since my 7lbs claiming days," he said. "It's a big team effort back at Denton Hall and I just play a small part in it."

Commanche Falls will now seek to consolidate his Group 3 credentials with another trip to Ireland for the Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes back at The Curragh on August 12.

Trainer Michael Dods said this afternoon: "It was a really good run today, even though the rain didn't help. It was a stop-start kind of race for him but he dug deep and showed a lot of courage to get his head in front where it was needed. It was a great ride by Connor and the horse showed how tough he is to go through with the run.

"He showed a good attitude and it's not easy stepping up from handicaps but he'll go to Ireland now for another Group 3. He's the type of horse that you never know how much he's got left in the tank and he certainly deserves his chance at another step up in time."