Royal Ascot review: Friday's reports, reaction and analysis
American raider handed Commonwealth Cup
Campanelle was awarded the Commonwealth Cup in the stewards' room after a dramatic renewal.
Dragon Symbol was first past the post after a sustained duel with his rival but bumped her inside the final furlong.
At the line he was a head in front but there was no surprise when the claxon sounded to announce the stewards were taking a look and they decided to take the race away from Oisin Murphy's mount.
As per their rules Sky Bet paid out on both horses.
Winning trainer Wesley Ward said: "We’re elated. I’m glad the stewards took the time they did.”
Congratulated by Dragon Symbol's trainer Archie Watson while he was being interviewed, Ward added: “That’s a true gentleman, right there. That’s her first start of the year in heavy ground, that’s really amazing.”
Dettori told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s never nice winning a race in the stewards’ room. I feel sorry for the ‘winner’s’ connections that I took it off them.
“But in these kind of conditions, when you’re taken across about eight lanes, nudged three times, lost my momentum, got beaten a head, the stewards kind of felt they’d give me the benefit of the doubt.
“I was coming back on the line, and it was a good effort – by Campanelle, and the original winner. I’m glad that we got it, and I feel very sad for the second – but I had reason to believe that the filly was probably the best on the day.”
Murphy gained swift compensation by winning the following Coronation Stakes on Alcohol Free, but admitted his disappointment at the stewards’ decision.
He said: “I’m very disappointed for the connections of Dragon Symbol, Archie Watson and his team, and Mr Kubota. I think there was a massive Japanese interest and unfortunately the horse finished the race in front, but it wasn’t meant to be. It doesn’t really matter what I feel, the stewards felt Campanelle deserved the race.
“I’m thrilled for Wesley Ward, he brought over a huge team. In fact, in his own words, Dragon Symbol was the best horse in the race, so does anyone else need an opinion? I don’t think so.”
15:40 Royal Ascot Full result and FREE video replay
1 13 Campanelle (IRE) 5/1
2 3 Dragon Symbol 4/1
3 17 Measure Of Magic (IRE) 11/1
Winning Trainer: W Ward. Winning Jockey: L Dettori
Haggas strikes again with Alenquer
Alenqeur, who beat subseqent Cazoo Derby winner Adayar in the Sandown Classic Trial, ploughed through the testing conditions to win the King Edward VII Stakes.
William Haggas' charge sat off the early pace but was produced with his challenge down the home straight. Tasman Bay was the main threat but Sir Mark Todd's colt was fighting a losing battle close home, eventually going down by a length-and-a-half.
The winner was cut to 12s from 25s for the King George back here in July by Betfair and Paddy Power. Sky Bet are 7s from 16s for the Cazoo St Leger, Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners saying: "In difficult conditions Alenquer showed a touch of class to win in taking fashion. The St Leger trip looks ideal for him and he looks a real player at Doncaster in September."
Marquand said: “It was a shame he never really got his fair crack after that Sandown trial win. He just had a couple of little issues, and they just set him back a touch. Supplementing for the Derby, when you don’t have the opportunity of a smooth run in, is tough to do. But as William’s patience proved yesterday with Mohaafeth, it’s been a virtue again.”
A delighted Haggas is already planning the next move for Alenquer – which may include a trip to the Grand Prix de Paris.
He said: “The Irish Derby is next weekend, so Alenquer won’t be going there – he isn’t in the Grand Prix de Paris (yet), but we could go there. It is such a pain getting to France at the minute – but it’s on July 14, so it’s pretty good timing. We could supplement, because it’s a good race.”
Reflecting on this victory, the Newmarket trainer said: “It was terrific, and I’m really pleased. I think Tom only gave him a couple of flicks because it was heavy ground – but I don’t think he needed to. It looked like he was always going to win. He’s not a ‘today’ horse – he’s very much for the longer term as well, so we’ve lots of exciting options.”
15:05 Royal Ascot Full result and FREE video replay
1 2 Alenquer (FR) 13/8 f
2 5 Tasman Bay (FR) 10/1
Winning Trainer: W J Haggas. Winning Jockey: Tom Marquand
Probert thrilled with Sandrine win
Andrew Balding saddled his second two-year-old winner of the week as Sandrine (16/1) landed the Albany Stakes.
Fresh from stablemate Berkshire Shadow's win in the Coventry, the daughter of Bobby's Kitten finished strongly in the testing ground to draw clear of her rivals inside the distance.
At the line she was a length-and-a-half clear of runner-up Hello You on her first start on turf.
After sealing victory, Probert voiced his gratitude to connections He told ITV Racing: “A massive thank you to (owner) Kirsten Rausing for keeping me on this filly. She won so well first time out round Kempton, and we knew she was pretty special. But she’s done so well to brave it through this ground … there was a massive question mark about it (for her).
“There’s plenty of other jockeys she (Rausing) could have chosen from, but I’m just massively thankful for all the opportunities I’m given. When I do get given them, I have to take them with both hands, and hope for the best.”
Balding was striking for the second time at this year’s meeting after Berkshire Shadow’s Coventry Stakes win.
He said: “We were going to go for another little novice race somewhere – and I rang Kirsten a week ago and said ‘Look, she’s worked so well, we’re going to have to make an entry for the Albany. Kirsten thankfully was up for it. I’m so pleased for David Probert, who just gave her the most beautiful ride.”
Of Hello You, trainer Ralph Beckett said: “She hit the boxes and was quite free, but she saw it out well. Her programme will speak for itself with the likes of the Cherry Hinton and the Lowther amongst possible targets.”
14:30 Royal Ascot Full result and FREE video replay
1 13 Sandrine 16/1
2 9 Hello You (IRE) 5/1
3 11 Oscula (IRE) 10/1
Winning Trainer: A M Balding. Winning Jockey: David Probert
Belief rewarded in Sandringham
Johnny Murtagh saddled his first winner at Royal Ascot as a trainer when Create Belief ran away with the Sandringham.
It was clear a furlong out it was only a matter of how far Ben Coen's mount would win by and the answer - at the line - was five-and-a-half lengths.
Samoot led home the chasing pack but she could never land a blow to the runaway winner.
The rider said: “It’s a huge win and a great feeling to be part of it. She travelled so easily and loved the ground. You can ride her any way you want, she’s such an uncomplicated filly.
“I couldn’t ask for a better mentor than Johnny. It’s my first time here and it’s a big help having someone like him behind me.”
17:00 Royal Ascot Full Result and FREE video replay
1 6 Create Belief (IRE) 6/1
2 22 Samoot (IRE) 5/1 f
3 13 Messidor (IRE) 14/1
4 25 She Do 28/1
Winning Trainer: J P Murtagh. Winning Jockey:Ben Coen
Significant form lines
Significantly had beaten all bar Dragon Symbol on his previous start at Hamilton and while he may have faced no realistic chance of winning that day, he proved that the form was still up to scratch on his return to handicap company.
Once again a high draw proved key in the closing Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes as Clifford Lee made a beeline for the stands' side rail from stall 24.
The son of Garswood wandered away from it as he tired inside the testing final furlong, allowing Boomshalaa to finish fast on that favoured ground, but he had just enough in hand to prevail by a head.
The runner-up broke from gate 22 and the places were filled by runners from stalls 20 and 23 leaving supporters of favourite and fifth home Mo Celita wondering what might have been if she had drawn a kinder box than 11.
It was a first Royal Ascot winner for Lee who told ITV Racing: "I'm delighted to get my first Royal Ascot winner. The boss and the owner have been really good to me and put me on a nice horse and it paid off.
"It was very hard work, especially that last furlong. The plan was to jump and get that rail, we were drawn right next to it, and to get as close as I can to it."
The winning trainer added: "I'm not saying what I'd have done to Cliff if he'd have come off that rail and let those two beat him!
"The plan was to come and stick under that rail but anyway look he's held on and Cliff's as strong as anybody in a finish. Delighted.
"He's a very talented horse, he's shown that all along, he saves a little bit for himself.
"We came here with our biggest team and I thought we had some real good two-year-olds there early on. So hard here, you need the draw, you need the luck, you need everything."
18:10 Royal Ascot Full result and FREE video replay
1 8 Significantly 10/1
2 7 Boomshalaa 9/2
3 24 Fantasy Master 16/1
4 16 Dream Composer (FR) 13/2
5 14 Mo Celita (IRE) 4/1
6 10 Rebel At Dawn (IRE) 28/1
Winning Trainer: K R Burke Winning Jockey: C Lee
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