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Blessingindisguise

'Disguise' in true colours

Racing Post 20/09/1999

Graham Cunningham

Newcastle United sent the Toon Army into raptures by scoring eight against hapless Sheffield Wednesday, but Blessingindisguise went one better at nearby Gosforth Park when notching the ninth success of his career in a pulsating sprint handicap, writes Graham Cunningham.

The Mick Easterby-trained gelding, beaten a whisker in the Gosforth Park Cup here last year, made just about all to hold Henry Hall by a head and leave owner Alan Black singing the praises of a horse who seemed to have lost his sparkle.

Black said: "He's tried our patience, but we never lost faith and let's hope he can win a couple more yet.

Blessingindisguise

"Coming back to Newcastle is like going back to a golf course where you play well. The crowd are great, and it's a special place to me, as I had my first winner here in the 1960s with a hurdler trained by the late Ken Oliver."

However, victory came at a price for winning rider Gyles Parkin.

Parkin, who received a four-day suspension when driving Rigadoon to victory at Catterick the previous day, was handed a further three days for using his whip with excessive force and will miss all racing between September 27 and October 4.

Blessingindisguise an outstanding bet
Progressive sprinter can improve on last year's third from good draw

Published: 18/08/1998 (News) PHIL LOGAN

Blessingindisguise expected to go well

AN IMPROVING sprinter at double-figure odds provides us with a decent punting opportunity in the Eagle Lane Handicap (4.45) on the opening day of York's Ebor meeting.

Throw in a top-class jockey, smart course form and a good draw and confidence increases. The horse in question is Blessingindisguise and the available 12-1 represents a bet out of the top drawer.
It was 17 months ago that Mick Easterby's speedster landed his first handicap off a mark of 58. Four more victories followed in a remarkable 1997, but this season has seen Blessingindisguise shine even brighter.

After digging deep to pip the in-form Polly Golightly (receieved 21lb) under 9st 13lb on the Knavesmire last month-where he needed all of the quick five furlongs to get up-he was sent down to Ascot to face his stiffest task to date.

Reunited with Mick Kinane-two wins and three good thirds from five rides on the top-weight-the combination proceeded to produce their best performance yet. Held up, Blessingindisguise burst through impressively to beat Bayleaf (good second since in a stakes race at Pontefract) by a cosy half length with Literary Society, Ellens Lad, Prince Dome and The Puzzler behind. A 3lb rise is not harsh.

Blessingindisguise

There is every reason to believe today's extra sixth furlong will suit him as well if not even better (dam won four times between seven furlongs and a mile). Indeed, he was possibly unlucky not to have won this race last year when a narrowly-beaten third to Plaisir D'Amour as he raced on his own up the stands' rail for most of the race.

The selection seems best ridden just behind the leaders these days. With front-runner Perryston View (unplaced last four York starts) next door in stall 13 and pace not far away in 17, 18 and 19, Kinane should enjoy a fast lead before unleashing the tip with a decisive late burst.

Surveyor is well placed in stall 15. This unlucky Newbury loser had little chance from his low draw in his well-supported Stewards' Cup bid. He should have no excuses this time and rates a threat though he did sweat up badly before running poorly at Lingfield on his return and it may be worth noting his well-being before backing him.   He is also a hold-up horse and along with in-form Cadeaux Cher and Deep Space, these types often fail to land a blow at York when the ground rides very fast. The Gay Fox and Magic Rainbow, from stalls 17 and 18, can both go well at prices as they are handy types who should be suited by the conditions.

Kinane and Easterby join forces

Published: 24/07/1998 (News) GRAHAM CUNNINGHAM

BRATISLAVA or Berkshire-they come alike to Mick Kinane, who has plenty to look forward to besides the much-vaunted Killer Instinct at Ascot this afternoon.

Kinane, who numbered the local Derby among a five-timer on a flying visit to Slovakia last weekend, renews links with an old ally in Mick Easterby when Blessingindisguise bids to repeat last year's win in the City Index Rated Handicap.

The five-year-old is rated 11lb higher than 12 months ago and 5lb higher than when pipping Polly Golightly at York two weeks ago, but Easterby feels his charge has strong claims.

"He's going to have to be better than ever," he said, "but he's come good at the right time and I think he'll win it again."