ascot Day one
Battaash sets the pace as the iconic meeting comes to life
KING’S STAND STAKES
BATTAASH made it third time lucky in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes, the five-furlong highlight of Royal Ascot.
The six-year-old gelding, owned and bred by Hamdan Al Maktoum, never looked in any serious danger as he blasted away to win by two and a quarter lengths from stablemate
Equilateral.
Trainer Charlie Hills said: “Fantastic, he was really on his ‘A’ game. He was beautifully relaxed before the race and as soon as the gates opened you could see he was going to be very hard to beat.
“He has been quite relaxed in his work at home, until Saturday when he was really quite strong in the first half of the gallop, I think he’d got to the point really when we needed to get a race into him. The race will do him the world of good, we can train him off today.
“Obviously we’ll have to speak with Sheikh Hamdan, but I am really looking forward to going back to Goodwood to try and win the King George there for the fourth time, I think that would be some achievement to do that.”
QUEEN ANNE STAKES
CIRCUS MAXIUMUS recorded a second G1 success at Royal Ascot.
The 4-1 favourite son of Galileo had to battle hard in the final furlong, coming out on top by head from Terebellum (5-1) after a sustained duel. The pair drew right away from the rest of the field, with Marie’s Diamond three lengths away in third.
Aidan O’Brien, recording his 71st Royal Ascot success, said: “We were delighted with that performance.
Circus Maximus is very tough, he travels with a lot of speed, then quickens and then toughs it out. It was unbelievable, really. Ryan gave him an unbelievable ride and we are delighted.
“Circus Maximus is a very good horse. He is a Galileo from a good family and has a great pedigree. He is tough, has pace and is brave – he is a trademark Galileo.
“I think he has probably been a bit underestimated. He is a very solid horse and all his best form has been over a mile and that makes him all the more valuable and interesting. He travels very strongly and then loves getting eyeballed. He is a very good horse.”
BUCKINGHAM PALACE HANDICAP
IT was the familiar blue and white silks of owner Hamdan Al Maktoum that came out on top as 14-1 chance Motakhayyel took the honours for trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Jim Crowley.
The lightly-raced four-year-old came with a strong challenge entering the final furlong and, at the finish, was the length and a quarter winner from Jack’s Point with another length back to Glen Shiel in third.
“That’s it – the rest of the meeting is cancelled!” said a jubilant Richard Hannon.
“We would think about something like the Bunbury Cup or a handicap at Goodwood. He didn’t appear to have the movement to be a Group horse last year, but he might be – he’s not getting any younger and he knows what the game is about, but he’s still enthusiastic.”
RIBBLESDALE STAKES
FRANKLY DARLING, 11-8 favourite, was the very comfortable winner of the G2 Ribblesdale over a mile and a half, handing a 50th Royal Ascot success to trainer John Gosden and a 68th to jockey Frankie Dettori.
The Anthony Oppenheimer homebred daughter of Frankel came home a length and three-quarters clear of Ennistymon (11-1).
Dettori said: “Frankly Darling has got some lungs. We were burning plenty of petrol in the first half of the race. She was over-racing a bit, but I managed to slow her down on the turn for home. I thought she had every chance of stopping if she wanted to, but in fairness she galloped out really well. She has got some lungs let me tell you.
“I guess it is all systems go for Epsom for the Oaks. If John and Mr Oppenheimer decide to go down that route I would be delighted. Frankly Darling learned a bit today and she is very exciting.”
KING EDWARD VII STAKES
PYLEDRIVER saw off all comers to record an 18-1 success in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and a half, marking the son of Harbour Watch as a live contender for the G1 Investec Derby on July 4.
It was a second Royal Ascot success for trainer William Muir, 18 years after Zargus landed the Balmoral Handicap and an eighth for jockey Martin Dwyer, who is Muir’s son in law.
Pyledriver took up the running just
Frankly Darling has got some lungs. We were burning plenty of petrol in the first half of the race frankie dettori