BEVERLEY RACES : Alpha Delphini Fires In Beverley Bullet

Alpha Delphini followed in the esteemed hoofprints of half-brother Tangerine Trees by winning a thrilling renewal of the £50,000 totescoop6 Beverley Bullet.

The locally-owned Tangerine Trees landed the big Listed dash in 2011 before going on to secure Group One glory in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp for the Bryan Smart team.

Like his former stablemate, Alpha Delphini was bred, and is partly-owned, by Beverley resident Marie Matthews.

Alpha Delphini, too, looks a horse with an extremely bright future after he claimed a quality renewal of the race by a neck under Connor Beasley.

The 13-2 chance was a shade too quick for runner-up Willytheconqueror, while 2-1 favourite Muthmir was just a short-head away in third place.

Alpha Delphini has now won three races on the bounce and will be stepped up into Pattern class for his next start.

Smart said: “He’s a proper, proper horse – we always had faith in him.

“When they called the photo-finish I wasn’t so sure he’d won, but he didn’t get going until the last half a furlong and won by a neck in the end.

“He’s a bit like Tangerine Trees as he doesn’t win by far and he’s from a late-developing family.

“We’ll try and find a Group Three for him and then that will probably be that for the season.

“I didn’t enter him for the Abbaye but that will definitely be an option next season.

“We’ll probably start him off at Newmarket next season and follow the same path as Tangerine Trees.

“There’s a lot more to come from this horse.”

Beverley chief executive Sally Iggulden said: “That was one of the most exciting renewals of the Bullet in its history.

“Alpha Delphini looks a Group winner in-waiting and will hopefully add credence to our big race, which seems to get better ever year.

“With the improving Willytheconqueror second and the very talented Muthmir in third, the form looks really strong.