ARMY PULLS RANK
YOUNG trainer James Tate may have found the horse to fulfil his long-held dream of Group One glory.
The Newmarket handler’s Invincible Army showed a devastating turn of foot to rout his rivals in the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes yesterday.
The least exposed horse in the race, he slaughtered known speedsters including Brando and Limato to give Harrogate-born Tate his biggest career success in the Group Two race.
Even greater riches might be around the corner. Paddy Power made him their 7-2 favourite for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Tate said: “He was fantastic. He seems a different horse this year. Much calmer and professional. Even now he is posing for photos in the parade ring. We have to think of Group Ones only now.”
The Epsom Oaks picture was no clearer after Nausha won in a blanket finish to York’s Musidora Stakes. Roger Varian has the Prix de Diane as an alternative target for his filly. But the runner-up Frankellina may be the one to take from the race and her trainer William Haggas and owner Anthony Oppenheimer had a definite glint in the eye afterwards.
“We’d have settled for that this morning,” said Haggas.
Oppenheimer added: “She has done enough to deserve a place at Epsom.”
Bookies agreed, with Paddy Power making the winner 14-1 for the Oaks and slow-starting Frankellina 10-1.
John Gosden’s Sparkle Roll was a disappointing favourite in the Musidora but he had better luck with First Eleven, who looks destined for greater heights after the four-year-old won the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Stakes.
Gosden said: “They called it an Ebor trial but it looked like a mini Ebor to me. There was hardly room in the starting stalls today.”