ascot day three

Stradivarious and Frankie land their third Gold Cup in a row

ASCOT GOLD CUP

Superstar stayer Stradivarius was imperious as he won the Gold Cup for the third consecutive time for owner Bjorn Nielsen, trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori.

The six-year-old Sea The Stars horse joins Sagaro (1975, 1976, 1977) as a triple Gold Cup winner with only fourtime scorer Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) having won the two and a half mile staying showpiece more.

Stradivarius scored by 10 lengths, the most decisive of his career. Having moved up effortlessly on the bridle behind long-time leader Nayef Road, Stradivarius went right away in the final furlong and won as he liked.

Nayef Road held on for second, eight lengths clear of Cross Counter.

Gosden said: “For a horse to do that... I mean Sagaro was trained by a great friend of mine, Francois Boutin, and ridden by Lester Piggott. I remember watching all his races and he was something.

“Yeats was a phenomenon. To have a horse mentioned in that bracket is what it is all about. We are very proud to have won the race three times and it is great for the owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen. He is passionate about his breeding and broodmares. He has been trying to breed a Derby winner, but he has got a very good Gold Cup horse. For him, it is profoundly fulfilling for him as much as it is for us – it is a pity he can’t be here today. We have been on the phone quite a lot before the race and already talked after the race.

“Stradivarius is quite a character. I must change my aftershave, as he got quite coltish while I was saddling him. I must have overdone the aftershave or something. He is quite a noisy character and he was having a shout and play out there – he does think life is a bit of fun and when you win races like this, I suppose it is.”

GOLDEN GATES HANDICAP

Day three began with a decisive success for top-weight Highland Chief (20-1) in the 10-furlong Golden Gates Handicap.

This was a first Royal Ascot success for a training partnership, permitted by the BHA since the resumption of racing on June 1, with Paul and Oliver Cole being responsible for handling Highland Chief. Paul Cole trained 21 Royal Ascot winners when solely responsible for the training licence. Highland Chief’s victory was a first Royal Ascot success for jockey Rossa Ryan.

Oliver Cole said: “It is fantastic, isn’t it? It is history, it is brilliant. Highland Chief is a very good horse; he won at Newbury on soft ground and was only beaten a few lengths by Pinatubo. He got bashed in that race and then made another run, so he has got ability. We would always have liked the ground today – luckily the heavens have opened. We could not be happier.

“Rossa rode his first Group winner for us – Duke Of Hazzard – who the other day probably got a bit tired, so I think we’ll see a better horse next time. It is all positive stuff.”

WOLFERTON STAKES

James Doyle bagged his third winner of the week as he superbly delivered Mountain Angel (8-1) up the inside to comfortably take the Listed Wolferton Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Doyle, who has now ridden a total of 16 Royal Ascot winners, said: “He did it, it worked out perfectly for him. Obviously, he ran a good race in it last year, finishing fifth, when he got into a bit of scrimmaging in Swinley Bottom and that put paid to his chances.

“Today the rain has come for him nicely, as he relishes cut in the ground, and it couldn’t have been much smoother, he travelled around really well.

“I could have done with them going just a bit quicker to help him relax, but he carted me into it. I pulled my googles down when we turned in, and couldn’t believe how much room we had up the inside.

“It was just a case of not getting there too early and he really knuckled down well when I asked him.”

JERSEY STAKES

Jim Crowley recorded his fifth winner of the week when Molatham (11-2)