Champ proves a top tactician
CHAMPION jockey Silvestre de Sousa produced a masterful ride to win the Britannia Handicap on Ostilio.
The Brazilian, riding his 50th winner of the season, took his mount from the middle of the track to the stands’ rail while those on the stands’ rail elected to head to the centre.
Despite enjoying huge success at the meeting when with Godolphin, it was a first Royal Ascot winner for trainer Simon Crisford.
“I am so thrilled,” he said. “What a lovely horse. He finished second to Without Parole at Yarmouth and I thought the handicapper had under-rated him. I fancied him today.
“I told Silvestre to hold on to him and stalk the pace as he might be a bit gassy. I thought he was going far too quick, but he knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Andrea Atzeni netted his second winner of the week when he steered Baghdad to victory in the King George V Handicap.
One of six Mark Johnston runners, Baghdad repelled Corgi and First Eleven, with the latter unlucky not to get up in the dying strides after Frankie Dettori left his run too late and was denied a clear run.