3 minute read

Midnight Affair justified favouritism [5-6f] in the first of the feature races at Beverley to win the Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies' Conditions Stakes, despite throwing the rider on the way to the start.

The nine fillies demonstrated various of abilities leaving the starting stalls with the Richard Fahey trained winner best away from gate six.

Flora Of Bermuda and Tallulabelle were both slowest into stride and soon looked outpaced. However, despite the uphill climb in the closing stages at the Yorkshire venue, the pair managed to fill the minor placings.

The tempo looked strong as expected over the 5f trip and Daniel Tudhope onboard Midnight Affair was settled in mid-field, around sixth racing three off the running rail.

As the runners approached halfway, victor Midnight Affair had only two rivals behind but was continuing to travel strongly.

With one and half furlongs to go, Midnight Affair was peeled out under Tudhope for a finishing effort and the filly responded well, showing her class, and avoiding the trouble in running which occurred on the inside.

With her big stride, the daughter of Dark Angel proved to be a dominant scorer.

After the race, winning jockey, Daniel Tudhope spoke to ITV racing and gave his reaction:

"I was happy where I was, she was slowly away into stride a little bit. I was happy to sit where I was, and I was always confident we'll pick them up at the end."

Midnight Affair made her debut at the Guineas festival weekend at Newmarket when beaten one-and three-quarter lengths over 5f when behind George Boughey's promising Soprano.

When asked about the debut performance where Midnight Affair didn't have the clearest of runs in the closing stages, Tudhope added:

"I think we bumped into a nice filly but not sure if we would have won but would have been closer.

"She's a lovely, scopey filly with plenty about her. There's more to come."

For Tudhope it was back-to-back victories in this Beverley race having scored on Star Of Lady M last year.

Steve Parkin, representing the winning owner Clipper Logistics also spoke to ITV Racing following the victory and said:

"I was delighted with her. She's a superstar, she looks a superstar. She was well bought by Joe, and we'll go to Ascot, I think the Queen Mary, that's what I think we will do."

"She'll get better as she gets through the season…, with a lot to look forward too."

Paddy Power cut the winner to 8/1 from 11/1 for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and 10/1 from 12s for the Albany.