PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES
LORD NORTH “did a Halling” by going from a top handicapper to winning this Group 1 contest.
The four-year-old Dubawi gelding (5-1) demonstrated an outstanding turn of foot to come home comfortably by three and three quarters lengths from Addeybb (7-2).
Trainer John Gosden made comparisons between Lord North and Halling who captured the 1994 Cambridgeshire Handicap, before landing the 1995 and 1996 G1 Coral-Eclipse, 1995 and 1996 G1 Juddmonte International and 1996 G1 Prix d’Ispahan.
Gosden said: “Lord North was gelded and he needed to be. He was tormenting himself. Testosterone is the most dangerous drug in the world, and he is a lovely horse to be around now.
“Halling had a hock injury as a three-year-old and it messed his career up. This boy just became aggressive at the gate and was becoming a danger to himself, let alone others.
“Lord North has got better and better. He is very powerful and, for a gelding, he has a great body to him.
“I was toying between this race and the Listed Wolferton under a penalty as you want to have a winner at Royal Ascot. I said no, let’s go for this.
“I would say give him a week, 10 days and see how we are. He has had two very quick races. He blew up at Haydock. Rab (Havlin) said at the furlong pole, he went for his girths, so he did well to hang on there. He has had two hard races, so we’ll freshen him up and then make decisions.”
WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES
THE Queen may have missed the meeting for the first time in her reign, but TACTICAL (7-2 Fav) handed Her Majesty a 24th Royal Ascot success when taking the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. I
This story is from the July 2020 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2020 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHARK'S GOT A BIT BETWEEN HIS TEETH
Alex Gifford reckons Hewick will be ready and refreshed for the National after his Gold Cup absence
THEY'RE BACKING LOSERS AND WE'LL PAY THE PRICE
Rolf Johnson blasts unelected officials meddling with gambling regulations while the 'impotent' BHA stand aside
THERE'S BOUNTI IN IT FOR BOUGHEY
Dave Youngman does the rounds on the gallops at headquarters and spotlights a promising new crop
SUMMER DAYS FOR ALL WEATHER TRIO
It's cash bonuses all round for the stars of rubber and sand, writes Ian Heitman
FOLLOW THE VAN
Paul Jacobs is keeping faith with Gavin Cromwell and last year's Grand National runner-up
IT'S SAFETY FIRST BUT NOBLE'S MY WINNER
Sky Racing frontman Robert Cooper casts a wistful eye back on old-school Nationals - but he's fixed on Yeats
GET SET FOR AN EASTER CRACKER!
Karl Hedley picks out runners and riders who can shine in the aftermath of Cheltenham
COR BLIMEY! WHAT A CRACKING CLIMAX
Ben Morgan looks to Cheltenham stars Slade Steel and Corach Rambler to star on Aintree's biggest day
BANBOU TAKES A BOW
Frero can top 'em in the Topham for Venetia Williams
DAWNING TO OPEN FOR IN-FORM DAN
Ben Morgan sees the Skelton brothers getting off to a winning start on Day 1