Friday was a busy day for the Coral Racing Club, as Aspire To Glory and Rockstar Icon both made the trip to Southwell for their afternoon all-weather card.

Aspire To Glory kicked off proceedings in the Class 6 Handicap at 15:25, with trainer Alice Haynes opting to stick to the mile trip despite considering a drop back to seven furlongs. His mark remained unchanged for Friday's contest following a decent performance last time out at Kempton, where he came home in third place.

Friday's race got underway in a similar fashion with Aspire To Glory kicking on to the front early doors, before jockey Kieran O'Neill settled him down at the head of the field for the first half on the contest. Kieran asked him for a little bit more as the race continued into the final three furlongs, with Mickey Mongoose being the first of his rivals to pass him.


Aspire To Glory's Owners for the Day with Kieran O'Neill before the Southwell race on Friday

Aspire To Glory began to fade heading into the final two furlongs of the race and was eventually eased down in the closing stages and was allowed to get to the line in his own time, finishing in 13th place from the 14 runners.

It was a disappointing run from our four-year-old given how consistent he'd been so far this year, with only a couple of blips to his record, but Kieran O'Neill did have a couple of key points to make in his post-race interview to help explain why he thinks Aspire To Glory didn't perform to his fullest.

WATCH: Kieran O'Neill debriefs us following his ride on Aspire To Glory at Southwell

We caught up with Alice Haynes over the weekend to see how Aspire To Glory was getting on following his race and this is what she had to say:

"Aspire To Glory is fine after yesterday's run at Southwell. He got a decent position under Kieran, but was beaten a couple of furlongs from home and didn't run up to his normal standard.

That's a couple of times he's underperformed at Southwell so we might look to stay away from there as he seems happiest on the tighter, turning all-weather tracks.

It might also be that a mile is beyond him for now, I could see him getting it again at Wolverhampton when there's pace to track, but seven furlongs might be his trip next time out."

Next up was Rockstar Icon, who was returning to the all-weather for the first time since last August having been campaigned on the turf for the back end of last season and at the start of this one. 

It was a new partner onboard this time out, with Pat Cosgrave riding him in Division II of the Class 5 Handicap over seven furlongs at 16:40. Friday's run also marked the first time that he was on the track since Paul Cole retired, giving Oliver Cole the reins as the sole trainer at Whatcombe Stables.

Rockstar Icon was slowly away from stalls six and Pat Cosgrave had to make an early move to take up a position in the midfield. He remained in this position for the majority of the race, never really emerging from a share of fifth position. Coming off of the bend Rockstar Icon was being ridden along to keep up with the front runners, but wasn't quite able to keep up and he eventually weakened in the final two furlongs, coming home in ninth of the ten runners on the day.

WATCH: Pat Cosgrave gives us a rundown on Rockstar Icon's performance on Friday

Keep an eye on the Coral Racing Club to find out what's next on the agenda for Aspire To Glory and Rockstar Icon, including when and where they might head next.