Indian Run takes opener on the day in the British EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes. (Tom Williams/JTW Equine Images)
The Action At Ascot on QIPCO Day:
Indian Run takes opener on the day in the British EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes.
Sacred Angel demolished competition in Group 3 Bateaux London Princess Margaret Stakes.
Random Harvest won The Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes in tenacious fashion.
Baradar, the 16-1 shot, won in great style in the Moet and Chandon International Stakes Handicap.
Rosallion bursts through the centre for victory in the Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes.
By Jack Williams
ASCOT, Berkshire, U.K.—The meeting started with a bang for jockey Danny Tudhope and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton as the Bronte Collection 1-owned Indian Run improved on his debut 3rd at Newbury over the same six-furlong trip to come clear at the end of what appeared to be a gruelling sprint up the Ascot straight course in the opener.
The Greatwood Charity 25th Anniversary British EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes(Colts & Geldings) (Class 2) over 6 furlongs began with Miami Heat, running for the same owner and jockey combination in Amo Racing and Kevin Stott, setting a good gallop early on, jumping out well with a host of challengers in behind. With 2 furlongs to go the sprint for home was on, with a wall of horses 6-deep across the centre of the Berkshire track, with Kingdom of Riches and Welcome Dream coming to the fore to press Miami Heat. The eventual winner had been smuggled into the race from the rear of the pack, and at the 2 furlong pole North View came with an eye-catching run, but on the far side Danny and Indian Run timed their challenge well to grind it out and prevail by a length and a half, from the fast-finishing Kingdom of Riches, with North View finishing a never nearer third.
Post-race, Danny said his mount travelled nicely through the race, and stated that whilst the officially good ground was tacky, it was drying well in the warm July sunshine, a rarity for Britain this summer!
The first Group race of the day, the Group 3 Bateaux London Princess Margaret Stakes, over the straight 6 furlongs, was turned into a demolition job by Sacred Angel and Jason Hart, accounting for some potentially smart rivals, and also in the process outrunning their extremely generous 16-1 odds. A winner of a Newmarket fillies’ maiden last time out over the same trip, the Mr Nurlan Bizakov-owned and Charlie Johnston-trained daughter of Dark Angel and Sacred Aspect broke well and led the field the entire way, with a host of challengers including the favourite Symbology, Elinor Dashwood and Dazzling Star accompanying her in the early stages. A level break meant most could find their position nicely, although Lunar Shine was keen under Pyledriver’s jockey P.J. McDonald, and the Amo Racing pair of La Guarida and Komat were looking to settle early on. 2 furlongs out, and whilst most challenges were already looking done, Sacred Angel was not stopping, and when Jason Hart pushed the button, it was all over, with the winner cruising clear to win by 3 lengths from Pretty Crystal, with favourite backers disappointed as Symbology could only finish third.
The Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes over the round mile was won in tenacious fashion by Random Harvest, providing in-form jockey Saffie Osbourne with a fourth winner in 3 days, after her treble during the first Racing League meeting of the season at Great Yarmouth on Thursday night. Sent to the lead early on, the Lady Bamford-owned and Ed Walker-trained daughter of War Front got the desired rail, with early problems being encountered by Sea of Thieves, who suffered bad interference leaving the gates when Zenga and Kevin Stott veered left and carried them a few lengths away from the field, although both did have a chance to recover any lost ground.
That was namely due to the very sensitive pace being set up front, Ameynah and David Egan keeping the eventual winner company. Thornbrook and Mysterious Love settled nicely on the inside, whereas favourite backers were left feeling very worried early on, as Cadeau Belle, the Irish challenger under Jamie Spencer for trainer Johnny Murtagh, was second last swinging round the top turn for home.
The main heritage handicap of the day was the Moet and Chandon International Stakes Handicap, a Class 2 over the straight 7 furlongs, won in great style by 16-1 shot Baradar, giving jockey Kevin Stott the perfect pre-race prep, for trainer George Boughey and owners Amo Racing Limited. In another typically competitive Ascot handicap, the eventual winner came down the standside group, with the far side group namely playing second fiddle in the closing stages. Zu Run had taken the winner’s group along at a decent clip, but pretty soon his efforts petered out and Baradar stormed through to make his bid for home. Ramazan tried to keep him company, before he faded tamely in the closing stages, allowing Hickory, Star of Orion and Northern Express to try and wear the eventual winner, but to no avail.
Indeed, as the field swung for home, Random Harvest was still out in front and going strongly. Despite veering off the rail a little 2 furlongs out, it was clear that Random Harvest would be tough to pass, Thornbrook finding every path blocked and Ameynah unable to get past. The only real threat to the winner looked to be Roman Mist under Oisin Murphy, but despite their late rattle, it was not enough to deny the winner, who returned at odds of 10-3.
The Listed Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes over seven furlongs was turned into somewhat of a demolition job by Rosallion and Sean Levey, for trainer Richard Hannon and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. The son of Blue Point and Rosaline was held-up early on towards the near side, with How’s The Guvnor, Chaturanga and Bigbertiebassett engaged in a battle for the lead, with Ancient Wisdom tracking in fourth next to Sunway.
At halfway the field fanned out, until almost every horse had a clear run, with Rosallion not causing too much worry for each way backers. The commentator Simon Holt said two furlongs out that it was an open race, however Rosallion caused a commentator’s curse, and had other ideas, bursting through the centre, grabbing the bit and careering away to score by four lengths, despite drifting right-handed slightly. This could potentially be a smart horse, and eyes will be drawn as to where they head next. Al Musmak stayed on well for second, with Ancient Wisdom back in third for favourite backers.
