Cloudbridge just denied in G3 Sirenia Stakes

Two-year-old colt Cloudbridge bounced back to form as he went down by a nose in the G3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park, UK, on Saturday, 5 September.

The son of Hard Spun made an impressive introduction for Charlie Appleby with a decisive win at Leicester but failed to beat a rival on his next start when refusing to settle in the G3 Acomb Stakes at York.

Dropping down to six furlongs for his first All-Weather appearance, Cloudbridge soon raced in second of the 10 runners under James Doyle, a length behind Mighty Gurkha.

The duo held the same positions throughout, with Cloudbridge staying on strongly inside the final furlong to press for the lead near the line, despite drifting towards the stands’ rail. Mighty Gurkha held on by the narrowest of margins, with a length back to Mystery Smiles in third.

Charlie Appleby said: “The step down in trip suited Cloudbridge, who did everything the right way round and finished off his race well. We will have a look at taking him out to Dubai for the winter and seeing how he goes on the dirt.”