Romantic Style had no problem handling testing conditions when coming home strongly to land the Listed Irish EBF “Bosra Sham” Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket today.
Charlie Appleby has enjoyed a fine end to the 2023 Flat campaign with Romantic Style adding to the trainer's tally by running out a smooth winner of the Listed Irish EBF "Bosra Sham" Fillies' Stakes.
The daughter of Night Of Thunder left her Newbury debut effort well behind when winning at Yarmouth last-time-out and she quickly proved the step up in class to be no issue on the Rowley Mile this afternoon. With both stable jockeys William Buick and James Doyle, who is set to join Wathnan Racing as their retained rider in 2024, engaged at the Breeders' Cup, Danny Tudhope took over and the Northern-based rider always looked confident on the 3/1 joint-favourite.
Romantic Style quickened up nicely to hit the front with a furlong to travel and stayed on well through the testing conditions to finish a length and three quarters in front of the progressive Adaay In Devon, with Navassa Island a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
Alex Merriam, assistant trainer, said: "She did it nicely. She travelled into it very well and I thought she did it quite easily.
"She has got lots of speed. She got a little bit tired at the end, but she was entitled to, as that ground was hard work. It was nice to see her step up on her last run.
"I think the ground was a question mark for most horses unless they are properly proven on it. She handled it, although I don't think it is the ground she wants. She will be better on better ground I would have thought.
"The way she has travelled into it I think she has got plenty of speed about her and Danny was very pleased with her.
"I think after her last run she was entitled to have a go at a bit of black type, and she has got that now. We will put her away and see what we have got next year."
Paddy Power introduced Romantic Style at 25/1 for next year's QIPCO 1000 Guineas but connections are happy to stick around the six-furlong trip.
Merriam added: "I think six furlongs is her trip for the time being. She is a bonny little thing that is straightforward, and she just goes through the motions at home.
"That was only her third run, so she is entitled to improve. She has won that now and she is one to look forward to next year.
