Van Dyck in frame
ROYAL Ascot hero A’Ali followed up with a cosy success in the Darley Prix Robert Papin at Deauville yesterday.
Runner-up on his debut at Ripon in June, Simon Crisford’s juvenile went one better in the Norfolk Stakes, sparking a memorable four-timer on the day for jockey Frankie Dettori.
Stepping up half a furlong in distance, the son of Society Rock was 4-6 favourite for this Group Two assignment and odds-on backers were made to sweat.
Dettori positioned the market Maysong Tarnhelm Dream House (treble) Annexation Eleuthera Rosemay Nicholas T Burn Some Dust (nb)
2YO leader in midfield for much of the way as My Love’s Passion blazed a trail in front.
But the red-hot jockey had to get to work with over a furlong still to run, although A’Ali responded generously to pick up the leader – and he was well on top at the line.
Paddy Power make A’Ali an 8-1 shot for the Nunthorpe at York on August 23, but he appears more likely to stick to his own age group and step up to six furlongs – in either the Prix Morny back at Deauville or the Keeneland Leapers Wood Beechwood Izzy Hard Solution Cameo Star Macs Blessings Betty Grable Windsor Cross Burn Some Dust
(8 runners) Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
“I think a hard-run five furlongs is a really good trip for him, and he’s in the Nunthorpe, but I’m not sure we want to be running against Battaash at this stage of his career,” said Crisford.
“You’ve also got the Phoenix Stakes in Ireland and the Prix Morny, so he’ll come back for one of these Group One races.”
A’Ali was a second winner on the card for Dettori, with the Italian striking gold on John Gosden’s Twist ‘N’ Shake, who made the most of having her sights lowered. 3YO 5f (11 runners) £2,782 ANTHONY VAN DYCK will spearhead Aidan O’Brien’s bid to upset Enable in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The trainer, who has won the clash of the generations four times, is responsible for seven of the 18 entries for the 12-furlong Group One.
The Investec Derby winner is his main contender and may also run Magic Wand, Hunting Horn and Norway.”