Chipchase Second For Pretend

Pretend stayed on well to take second on his first start for more than a year in the G3 Betfred Chipchase Stakes over six furlongs on Tapeta at Newcastle, UK, on Saturday, June 25.

The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old broke smartly and raced keenly behind the leaders in fifth of the 10 runners early on for James McDonald.

He moved up to fourth with two and a half furlongs left and quickened strongly inside the final to take second near the line without troubling Markaz, who won by a length in 1m 10.38s.

Charlie Appleby commented: "I was delighted with Pretend, who has run a great race after such a long lay-off. It is very encouraging to see that he retains his ability.

"I feel that he is a horse who will maintain his form on the turf this summer, providing he gets quick ground. We might think about the King George Stakes over five furlongs at Glorious Goodwood (G2, 5f, July 29) for him now."