Time To Turn rises to the occasion at Ascot

Time To Turn provided Godolphin with a fifth Listed Pat Eddery Stakes win in the space of seven years as he reversed the form with A Bit Of Spirit at Ascot, UK, on Friday, 25 July.

A head had separated the duo in a Newbury novice race in mid-June, with the victorious A Bit Of Spirit going on to readily defy a penalty at Sandown Park and Time To Turn reopposing after scoring by 10 lengths at Wolverhampton. 

Held up at the rear of the six runners by William Buick, Time To Turn started to make smooth headway two furlongs out and the Dark Angel homebred quickened into a clear lead inside the final furlong. 

Palace Pier colt A Bit Of Spirit rallied and reduced Time To Turn’s lead close home, with the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile holding on by a head. The front two pulled more than three lengths clear of third home Italica. 

Charlie Appleby said: “It was a pleasing run from Time To Turn, who is learning on the job. We are learning about him as well and it was another nice step forward today. We might give him a little break and look towards the autumn, as I think he will appreciate some juice in the ground.” 

William Buick said: “They were getting the run on us on the other side of the track and I ran out of horses to follow. We had to chase the race a little earlier than ideal, but Time To Turn held on. He is a pretty talented horse and I think he showed it there. “He is a good stamp of a horse and has done a lot of growing, so you would think he will only improve. He will be given every opportunity to do so.”