Gallant second for Grecian Light in May Hill Stakes

Grecian Light produced the best performance of her career when going down by three quarters of a length to Rich Legacy in the G2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster, UK, on Thursday, September 8.

The Charlie Appleby-trained two-year-old filly was slightly slowly into her stride under William Buick and raced in sixth of the nine runners throughout the first half of the contest on the straight mile.

The daughter of Shamardal made smooth headway passing the three-furlong pole, challenged with a quarter-mile remaining and quickened to take a narrow advantage at the distance.

Grecian Light ran on gamely but was headed in the closing stages by Rich Legacy, who rallied strongly to prevail in 1m 41.24s on ground described as good, good to soft in places.

The first and second pulled two and a quarter lengths clear of Urban Fox in third.

Charlie Appleby declared: "Grecian Light is probably a little bit short of top class but she tries very hard and she deserves to pick up one of these races.

"She is a nice genuine game filly and with a bit of luck we might nick one by the end of the season.

"I am very happy from my point of view that she’s a nice filly but she is not at the top of our pecking order at home. I am just happy that she has been competitive there at a good level.

"We might have a go at the Rockfel (G2, 7f, Newmarket, September 23) with her next."

William Buick said: "Grecian Light was much more amenable today than at Goodwood last time (where she finished last in the G3 Prestige Stakes). This race suited her better.

"I thought for a stride I had the race won, but she got run out of it."