Dettori and Johnston team-up for success

EYE Of HEAVEN provided trainer Mark Johnston with his third juvenile winner of the week to set up a tilt at the Royal Ascot.

The two-year-old recorded an impressive victory in the Betway EBF Stallions Novice Stakes at Newmarket and only needed to be pushed out with hands and heels by Frankie Dettori to score by three-quarters of a length.

He earned a quote of 8-1 for the Norfolk Stakes with Paddy Power.

Middleham-based Johnston said: “We’ve had a great start. What it is so important is that what you think are the right ones at home work out to be on the track, otherwise it is back to the drawing board.

“He will go to the Norfolk. Not only have we a pecking order this year, but they have their Royal Ascot starts mapped out as well.

“He is a big horse and he stands out from the crowd at home. Frankie just sat and held him together in the dip and he hit the rising ground and won well. Ascot should suit him better.”

Today the evergreen Dettori is reunited with champion stayer Stradivarius in the Group one Coronation Cup at Newmarket – the 49-year-old jockey appears to have taken racing’s return, and health procedures, in his stride.

And the wellbeing of the Johnston string boosts confidence ahead of the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday when the stable will be represented by Raffle Prize and the outsider Rose Of Kildare.

The 15-strong field, headed by Roger Charlton’s Quadrilateral, also features Yes Always for Leyburn trainer Karl Burke.