SOMEHOW…SOMEHOW
Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) went postward as the crowd's 8-15 choice for Wednesday's Listed Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks at Chester and appeared unlikely to justify that market confidence for much of the stamina test, but responded under jockey Ryan Moore's educational urgings to claim a fifth edition for Aidan O'Brien in game fashion. The bay debuted with a third behind stablemate and Listed Salsabil S. victress Pretty Perfect (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in a distaffers' maiden at Leopardstown Oct. 25, and graduated when defeating subsequent scorer Shamreen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) upped to 10 panels back at the Foxrock venue on seasonal return last time Apr. 6. Reserved off the pace, with her tongue lolling, in seventh for much of this contest, she came under pressure with three furlongs remaining and stayed on relentlessly once weaving her way into the clear approaching the final eighth to earn a first black-type victory nearing the line. Somehow had a half length to spare over Moorside (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) with the same back to Diamonds Pour Moi (GB) (Pour Moi {Ire}) in third. “She was a bit sleepy through the race, but I always felt that she'd do enough and I'm very pleased with her,” the jockey reported. O'Brien, who registered a fifth win in the nine latest renewals, added, “She's docile and very lazy at home, and was the same last year and when she won her maiden. No matter what we work her with, she just pricks her ears and works to it. I was worried early on in the race, but Ryan gave her marvellous ride and taught her plenty. She's a lovely filly, but is still asleep. It's a great atmosphere for them to get used to here and the track is always turning quick, left-handed. It's a big help.” Somehow is a daughter of the 2006 G1 Epsom, G1 Irish and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), herself a sibling of G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Magical Romance (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}), and is thus a half to G2 Prix Kergolay winner Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 14f+, MGSW-Fr & SP-Eng, $225,845. Alexandrova was bred to War Front in 2015 and 2016.
ARKLE FINANCE CHESHIRE OAKS (FOR THE ROBERT SANGSTER MEMORIAL CUP)-Listed, £60,000, CHE, 5-4, 3yo, f, 11f 79yT, 2:29.05, gd.
1–#SOMEHOW (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
1st Dam: Alexandrova (Ire) (Hwt. 3-year-old Filly-Ire at 9.5-10.5f & 11-13f, MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & GSP-Fr, $1,210,034), by Sadler's Wells)
2nd Dam: Shouk (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Souk (Ire), by Ahonoora (GB)
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, £41,704. *1/2 to Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 14f+, MGSW-Fr & SP-Eng, $225,845.
2–Moorside (GB), 126, f, 3, Champs Elysees (GB)–Marching West, by Gone West. O-Khalid Abdullah. £12,900.
3–Diamonds Pour Moi (GB), 126, f, 3, Pour Moi (Ire)–Diamond Light, by Fantastic Light. O-Pearl Bloodstock Ltd. £6,456.
Margins: HF, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.53, 10.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Dessertoflife (Ire), Play Gal (GB), Pursuitofthestars (Ire), Doubly Motivated (Ire), Mirsaalah (GB). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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