On Saturday at Lingfield Party Island ran superbly well in a very narrow defeat over ten furlongs of the turf track. At the top of the course jockey Jason Watson did well to claim a rail run with Party Island travelling well just behind midfield. Coming down the hill well, things just didn't fall for the Tagula gelding as they swung into the straight. He was not able to get up the inside to take the far rail position and then had to switch right to get any kind of opening. Waiting repeatedly for a clear run, and the only horse still on the bridle, Party Island could finally move up easily into third inside the final furlong before being joined at the post to lose that position by a nose. It was a case of a series of misfortunes that denied Party Island a much deserved place on the merit of his running, just a length behind the winner.

Over at Ascot the filly Phoenix Moon ran in a division of a six furlong handicap, up two grades and carrying four pounds above her rating. Tyler Heard aboard once again, she started well enough from a central draw, and then tracked another horse through to get good cover in the first two furlongs of the straight course. It seemed that she was enjoying conditions as she travelled very well up the centre of the field of ten, being in close contention through the middle part of the race and entering the final quarter mile. At this stage she looked likely to earn a place, but in the closing stages the leaders stretched away and she finished in fifth about eight lengths away. The really encouraging run on fast ground turf opens up many options for Phoenix Moon to show her speed in races this summer for the Keeper's 12 syndicate