Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Lord Allen proposals given full support of Jockey Club

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The Jockey Club has thrown its support behind proposals from intended new chair Lord Allen to make the British Horseracing Authority’s board fully independent in future.

Allen was due to take up the role on June 2 but his tenure was delayed as the BHA said he wished to “continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport”.

The BHA board currently has an independent chair, four independent directors and four member-nominated directors – two from the racecourses and two nominated by the sport’s participants – but Allen wants to change that arrangement.

Racecourses’ ownership of media rights and fixtures is reportedly one of the sticking points for a proposed governance shake-up, but Jockey Club CEO Jim Mullen feels that while further discussion on such matters is necessary, it would be to the sport’s benefit to create a “stronger regulatory body”.

He said: “Without a strong regulator it’s not possible for any sport to thrive and that’s why we are fully supportive of Lord Allen’s proposals for a fully independent BHA Board.

“There are still details on certain issues which will need to be thrashed out in time and to expect everyone to agree on everything would be unrealistic at best, a potential barrier to meaningful change at worst.

“We recognise that ownership of media rights and fixtures are extremely important to the profitably of racecourses and that’s where we are aligned with small and large independent courses and RCA members.

“However, we don’t believe that those views are incompatible with our strongly held opinion that British racing requires a fully independent regulator which is empowered to drive change, not only to benefit the sport now but for generations to come.

“We’re supportive of the consultative approach that Lord Allen is taking and the importance he has placed on taking counsel from those across the sport before forming an opinion. Ultimately, whether Lord Allen takes up his role or not, a process has started which we think has the very real potential to create a stronger regulatory body.”

William Buick booked for Field Of Gold at Goodwood

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William Buick will ride Field Of Gold in next week’s Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Narrowly beaten in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when partnered by Kieran Shoemark, John and Thady Gosden’s three-year-old has made no mistake in two subsequent starts under Juddmonte’s retained rider Colin Keane, emulating his sire Kingman with brilliant victories in both the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

With Keane currently serving a suspension after contravening the whip rules, connections needed to secure a new pilot for Field Of Gold’s next appearance – and having revealed Buick was “on the list” of potential riders two weeks ago, he has now been confirmed for the high-profile mount.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager, told the PA news agency: “I think John and Thady were to talk to William yesterday to confirm his availability and it sounds like they’ve done that and he’s free to ride him, so I’d say that’s the plan.

“In fairness, until you get to within a week of the event you don’t know what other trainers and jockeys are doing, but obviously William has been able to commit now which is good.

“He’s a top-class rider and rode a Group One winner for us last October on board Kalpana, so it’s good to have him on board.”

Field Of Gold is set to head a quality Juddmonte team bound for the Sussex Downs, with fellow three-year-olds Cosmic Year and Jonquil also poised for action.

Jonquil (left) winning the Greenham Stakes at Newbury
Jonquil (left) winning the Greenham Stakes at Newbury (David Davies/PA)

The Harry Charlton-trained Cosmic Year was second to Field Of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas before failing to fire in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, while Andrew Balding’s Greenham Stakes winner and French Guineas runner-up Jonquil will step back up in trip after finding the six furlongs of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot too sharp.

Field Of Gold’s Lockinge-winning stablemate Lead Artist meanwhile holds a Sussex Stakes entry, but appears unlikely to be on the Goodwood squad.

“I’d say Cosmic Year will run in the Thoroughbred Stakes, the Group Three over a mile, at the minute that’s the plan,” Mahon added.

“Jonquil worked nicely this morning and he’s a probable to run in the Lennox over seven (furlongs).

“Lead Artist is in the Sussex, but I’d say he’s more likely to wait. He won’t run against Field Of Gold I’d imagine, so I’m not sure what the plans are for him at this stage.”

Racing Bulletin for 23/07/2025

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Wexford

Yielding

 14:08 14:38 15:08 15:38 16:10 16:45 17:20
Salisbury

Good to Firm

 14:15 14:50 15:20 15:50 16:20 16:53
Catterick

Soft

 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
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Yielding to Soft

 17:07 17:37 18:10 18:40 19:10 19:45 20:20
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Soft

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Good to Soft

 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:33 20:08 20:40

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Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton

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Even though there was a clear winner, a trademark shout of “photo!” from Derek Thompson was an appropriate way of bringing the curtain down on his 60-year commentary career at Wolverhampton.

Thompson announced late last year he would retire from commentating in 2025 and subsequently identified Tuesday night’s six-race fixture at Dunstall Park as his last ahead of his upcoming 75th birthday.

With well wishers aplenty on track, ‘Tommo’ called home the first three winners on the card, his final race being the appropriately named It’s A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in the hands of Luke Morris, but that did not stop Thompson having some fun inside the final furlong, as he said: “Space Bear now takes it up, from Jowalla, coming from a long way back is Lyra Lea, but it’s Space Bear whose going to win the It’s A Photo – Big Fella European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes!”

Ian Bartlett commentated on the final three races, but Thompson remained in the thick of the action and was on hand to present the connections of Ballsgrove Boy with their winner’s prize following his success in the concluding Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap.

Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: “It has been absolutely incredible, I’m nearly shedding a tear. It’s a ridiculous as I’m a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight.

“I’ve enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we’d had thousands here, it’s superb.”

On his final call, he added: “I’ll never ever forget it. I’m quite moved and it’s difficult to concentrate as I’m not working any more – I’m talking into the microphone, but I’m not holding it.”

Thompson remains one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career.

He was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun’s Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped.

And while his long spell commentating in Britain has come to an end, Thompson has no intention of hanging up his microphone entirely, with several racecourses continuing to use him as a raceday presenter, while he will also continue his association with racing in Jersey.

Derek Thompson at York last year
Derek Thompson at York last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

He said: “I’ve got Ascot at lunchtime on Friday and then York on Friday evening, Ascot on Saturday and then go to Jersey on Saturday night/Sunday.

“I am going to settle down a bit and enjoy. I am going to miss the commentary because the commentary box is the best view and the best seat in the house.”

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft, Thompson signed off perfectly with: “I’ve had a great career. Thanks big fella and by the way, it’s a photo!”

Charles ‘working on’ producing a contender for the Derby

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The King has said he is working on producing a runner for one of the greatest spectacles in the racing calendar – the Derby.

Charles’s comment came when he and the Queen visited the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket, after touring the nearby National Stud.

There they met the stallion Stradivarius, the champion stayer who retired to take up breeding duties after accruing over £3million in prize-money across 20 victories, including three Gold Cups at Royal Ascot.

The couple went on a meet and greet with the public after more than 1,000 people flocked to the Suffolk town’s centre and the King, who is receiving ongoing cancer treatment, spoke about his health.

The King meeting the public in Newmarket
The King meeting supporters in Newmarket, Suffolk (Darren Staples/PA)

Lee Harman, 54, from Bury St Edmunds, said: “I asked him how he was, and he said he was feeling a lot better now and that it was ‘just one of those things’.”

After telling Charles about his own cancer issues, Mr Harman said: “He asked me how I was and I said ‘I’m all good’, I got the all clear from cancer last year.”

Thoroughbreds owned by the late Queen won four out of the five Flat racing classics – the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks twice and the St Leger – with only the Derby eluding her.

Now it appears the King, who took on Elizabeth II’s stable of horses with his wife, is aiming to have a thoroughbred ready for the premier Classic, having had Desert Hero finish third in the 2023 running of the St Leger at Doncaster.

King and Queen looking at a grey horse at the National Stud
Charles and Camilla admire a horse during a visit to the National Stud in Newmarket (Chris Radburn/PA)

As he toured the Jockey Club Rooms, a retreat for members and the public, he chatted to his racing manager John Warren, Jockey Club staff and members, and some of the chairs of racecourses run by the club, which include Newmarket, Epsom, Aintree and Cheltenham.

Brian Finch, chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said after speaking to the King: “We were talking about him getting a Derby runner and he said ‘we’re working on it’.

“Everybody is hoping the royal family will have a Derby winner soon.”

Estrange on course for Yorkshire Oaks, with Paris on the horizon

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Estrange is poised to step up to Group One level at York next month.

The David O’Meara-trained four-year-old has been beaten only once in her five-race career to date and created a huge impression when winning the Group Three Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes at Haydock in a canter in May.

In fact so impressive was she that day, an entry made by owners Cheveley Park Stud for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe did not look too fanciful.

She returned to the Merseyside track for a more hard-fought success over Scenic in the Group Two Lancashire Oaks, and now a test of her credentials at the highest level awaits on the Knavesmire in the Yorkshire Oaks on August 21.

Estrange was in cruise control at Haydock in May
Estrange was in cruise control at Haydock in May (Martin Rickett/PA)

“She’s come out of the Lancashire Oaks great,” O’Meara said of his star filly.

“She hardly had a race really, it was a two-and-a-half-furlong dash that day really which turned into a sprint. She’s fine, she’s in good order.

Estrange is a best-priced 25-1 for Paris, although as short as 12-1 in a place, and O’Meara added: “York (is the next port of call) and if she carries on going well then the Arc de Triomphe is the ultimate goal.”

Ross O’Sullivan eyeing more Galway Festival gains

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Ross O’Sullivan is readying a strong squad for this season’s Galway Summer Festival after enjoying a fruitful meeting last year.

The stable sent out three winners for the showpiece fixture 12 months ago, all of whom return to the track this time around alongside further hopes both on the Flat and under the National Hunt code.

Donnie Devito, who took the Guinness Novice Hurdle last year, turns his hand to chasing and will take on stablemate and fellow Galway winner Talk In the Park over fences.

“The three winners from last year will go there, unfortunately two of them are taking each other on,” said O’Sullivan.

“Donnie Devito and Talk In The Park will both go for the beginners’ chase on Friday.”

Volantis bids to retain his title in the Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, whereas smart bumper horse turned hurdler Strong Link makes his Galway debut and the Listed winner Chally Chute aims to go one better than last year’s effort in the Guinness Handicap.

O’Sullivan said: “Volantis, last year’s winner of the good handicap which now runs on the Saturday will go back for that. He’s had a prep run on the Flat like last year and much the same preparation as last year.

“Strong Link has won a bumper and maiden hurdle, he goes for the novice hurdle that Donnie Devito won last year.

“The young pretender is Strong Link, he hasn’t put a foot wrong and has good winter form in bumpers.

“He’s transferred that to winning in the summer and because he’s up and coming he’d be the one that we’re really looking forward to.

“Last year Chally Chute was second in the good Flat handicap over a mile and a half, the Guinness Handicap. He goes back for the same race again having won a Listed race.”

Eustace’s Ascot heroes hunting more glory at Goodwood

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Harry Eustace could be in line for another week to remember as stable stars Docklands and Time For Sandals prepare for their respective targets at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Both horses shone at Group One level at Royal Ascot in June, with Docklands kicking off the meeting with a surprise 16-1 success in the Queen Anne Stakes before Time For Sandals came to the fore at 25-1 in the Commonwealth Cup.

Docklands now heads for the Sussex Stakes on the South Downs next week, where he will face an incredibly strong field that includes dual Group One-winner Field Of Gold.

“Docklands has been super since the race and seems to have come out of it very well. He has done a couple of bits of work since,” said Eustace.

“He obviously came out of it race-fit, so it’s getting him into Goodwood in as good a form as we got him into Ascot.

“We are under no illusions regarding the opposition. We take on the three-year-olds, particularly Field of Gold, which will be the toughest opponent he’s faced so far, but he’s in as good a place as we have ever had him.”

Docklands has been ridden by various jockeys in the past and was something of a chance ride for Mark Zahra at Royal Ascot, with Tom Marquand now set to get the leg up as those former partners are unavailable.

Eustace confirmed: “Tom Marquand will ride in the Sussex. Mark rode him at Ascot and Richard (Kingscote, who rode on his first two starts this year) is off to Hong Kong.

“Finding someone who can commit over two or three races this year is difficult for a yard our size, but I’m obviously keen to get the best available. I have a good relationship with Tom through my time with William Haggas and I think he’ll suit him well.”

Time For Sandals is taking aim at the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, a step back to five furlongs for the first time since her juvenile season.

Prior to Ascot the filly was second by just a head in the Prix Texanita at Chantilly, a performance that has developed into a good line of form as the winner, Woodshauna, landed the Group One Prix Jean Prat next time out.

Eustace said of his runner: “She’s come out of Ascot particularly well. It was a big effort and the extra few weeks have really helped her.

“The Chantilly form has worked out very well and the winner of that has won the Prix Jean Prat, so her form is beginning to stack up stronger than people maybe thought it did on the day.

“Goodwood, almost more so than Ascot, can be quite a tough place to travel horses because of the box journey up to the racetrack. Mentally, it asks more questions than Ascot, but both she and Docklands mentally are very strong so that part of it I have no concerns about, so it’s a real asset for them.”

McCreery has high hopes this season for Vespertilio

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Vespertilio is pencilled in for sprint targets in both Ireland and England after skipping the Minstrel Stakes at the weekend.

The filly was an intended runner in the Group Two at the Curragh on Sunday, but when the going description was changed to good to yielding trainer Willie McCreery opted to save her for more suitable ground.

The Phoenix Sprint Stakes is now on the agenda, over six furlongs at Group Three level at the Curragh, with the Sprint Cup at Haydock a longer-term aim later in the year.

“It was just that the ground changed and I thought that might take the sting out of her sprint,” McCreery said of Vespertilio’s withdrawal.

“We’d said we’d leave it as there are a couple of other races for her. She’s entered in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh, we could go for that, and then probably we’d have a look at the Haydock Sprint Cup.

“She’s come out this year a lot stronger and a lot more like a sprinter I think, hopefully I’m correct.

“We’ve got to give her another go at Group One level at one stage, I think sprinting is her game and I think she’s very, very fast.”

McCreery has another quality filly in Jancis, who is entered in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot on Saturday and will travel across to Berkshire if the going allows.

It is a step back to a mile for the chestnut, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and prior to that was also fifth in the one-mile Lanwades Stud Stakes at the same track.

“She’s entered in the Valiant on Saturday at Ascot over the mile,” said McCreery.

“We’ll see what the ground is like for her, she needs quick ground so hopefully we’ll get it and we’ll be able to travel over for Saturday.

“I have been trying to stretch her out to a mile and two furlongs to give her more options, but I think a faster trip suits her better so we’ll go back to the mile now.”

Noble to Champion Walker’s Goodwood hopes

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Royal Ascot hero Noble Champion is set to lead Ed Walker’s squad into battle at next week’s Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The Lambourn handler is enjoying an excellent season, highlighted by multiple Group-race victories thanks to the exploits of not only Noble Champion but also the likes of Almaqam – who is bound of this weekend’s York Stakes – Mgheera, Scenic and Ten Bob Tony.

Walker is preparing several high-class operators for various races on the Sussex Downs and is hopeful of adding to his hitherto meagre tally at the track’s feature meeting of the year.

Ed Walker is lining up a strong team for Goodwood
Ed Walker is lining up a strong team for Goodwood (PA)

Speaking at a Goodwood-organised press visit at his yard on Tuesday, the trainer said: “Numerically we are not flying along, it just seems that way as we received a lot of good publicity following a couple of high-profile winners.

“The last month or so has been a bit bread and butter and also frustrating as we’ve had a shed load of seconds and thirds in the last fortnight.

“In our number of winners we are a bit down on last year, so the truth is we are making headlines but not adding to our total – and to date I’ve only had one winner at the big Goodwood meeting.”

Noble Champion, a surprise but impressive winner of the Jersey at the Royal meeting last month, is one of two Walker-trained entries for the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes on July 29, along with his John of Gaunt Stakes scorer Ten Bob Tony.

Ed Walker is preparing his horses for Goodwood
Ed Walker is preparing his horses for Goodwood (PA)

However, with both horses in the same ownership, they are unlikely to lock horns.

Of Noble Champion, Walker said: “He needs a good, even gallop like the one he got from Spy Chief in the Jersey, and that horse went on to run a solid race in the July Cup.

“My horse thumped Spy Chief at Ascot and we’re buzzing about him. He’s a very exciting horse.

“We also have Ten Bob Tony in the Lennox, but Noble Champion is more likely to go as he’s OK on the better ground and is in flying form.”

Scenic won the Group Three Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start before pushing red-hot favourite Estrange all the way in Haydock’s Lancashire Oaks.

The five-year-old, who was purchased by the powerful Wathnan Racing team prior to her neck defeat on Merseyside, is also set to be part of Walker’s Goodwood-bound battalion.

Scenic (left) pushed Estrange all the way at Haydock
Scenic (left) pushed Estrange all the way at Haydock (Nigel French for The Jockey Club)

He added: “Scenic ran a massive race in the Lancashire Oaks and is heading for the Lillie Langtry.

“She didn’t get the credit she deserved in a muddling race at Haydock and I’m happy to take on the winner again. I think she will run to a higher rating in the Yorkshire Oaks than at Goodwood.”

Other planned contenders for the trainer include Celandine, who ran a race full of promise on her return from 10 months off the track when third in York’s Summer Stakes recently, and the Coventry and July Stakes runner-up Do Or Do Not.

“Celandine and Balmoral Lady are both in the King George Stakes and at this point it looks more like Celandine will go there as she wants it (the ground) like a road. She has bags of speed, but just got hassled by Rage Of Bamby at York last time,” said Walker.

“The owner of Do Or Do Not is very keen to take him to the Vintage Stakes and that’s the plan as it looks like he’s crying out for seven furlongs.

“He’s bred to be a fun horse but he’s very good, and deserves to win one of these Group races.”

‘Different gear’ Almaqam primed for York return

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Ed Walker is preparing to take the wraps off Almaqam in Saturday’s Sky Bet York Stakes.

The four-year-old has been limited to just two starts so far this year, finishing third in the Gordon Richards Stakes on his initial outing before securing a first Group Three success when beating Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May.

While Ombudsman has since gone to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and finish a narrow second in the Eclipse, Almaqam has not run subsequently due to his need for a little ease in the ground – but conditions could be right on the Knavesmire this weekend.

Walker said: “I left him in the King George but didn’t feel Ascot was the right track in which to test him over a mile and a half for the first time against the Ballydoyle horses.

“At York the ground should be ideal, as well as the track and the trip. It’s the natural progression into a Group Two and if he wins well, I will throw him into the deep end and take him back there for the Juddmonte.

“I thought 5-4 was quite a punchy price and it mirrors his reputation being bigger than what he’s actually achieved in beating Ombudsman.”

Walker has high expectations for the son of Lope De Vega, who has won three of his eight career starts and counts a Listed triumph on his CV, as well as a couple of Group race places.

The trainer said: “I’ve always thought the world of him as he’s seriously exciting. My hopes and expectations make the nerves kick in as I think he’s very special, and personally I will be very disappointed if he doesn’t win a Group One as he’s got everything you want in a racehorse.

“I’ve tried to be responsible and not to get impatient, and hopefully his big time will be in the autumn as the Irish Champion is a perfect target after which we might look at the Arc. But 10 furlongs is where we are going for now.

“He’s certainly the best I’ve ever had so far, he’s different gear.”

Racing Bulletin for 22/07/2025

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Good

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Good

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Standard

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Field Of Gold ‘in great order’ for Sussex Stakes test

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John Gosden is looking forward to seeing how Field Of Gold fares when faced with the unique demands of Goodwood in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes next week.

The brilliant Juddmonte-owned grey has had a superb campaign so far this year, winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Prior to those runs he has narrowly denied in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and was the winner of the Craven, a superb run of form that leads neatly into the Sussex and very much makes him the horse to beat.

“He’s been a grand horse to train, he’s done nothing but thrive this year,” said Gosden.

“We’ve been pleased with his progress all the way through.

“The Sussex is a different test of a horse. If you’ve ever walked the track, it’s quite a surprise, it runs down into a dip, swings up and around.

“You don’t want too big a field and a high draw because you are literally down the hill looking at the horses getting the shortest run round up the hill, so the draw is a big factor there if you get a large field.

“The horse is athletic, he’s got great balance, and hopefully he’ll handle the track well. It’s very different to the round mile of Ascot or the Curragh, that’s for sure.

“He’s in great order, and we’re looking forward to running him. It’s very much the obvious race to go to for him.”

Field Of Gold could be joined by Lockinge Stakes winner Lead Artist, who proved his suitability for Goodwood when taking the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at this meeting last year and is also owned by the Juddmonte operation.

Gosden said: “He’s in great form, we’ll see if he runs, no decision on that yet.

“He bowled along there last year and won in good style. We’re not sure if they’ll both run at this stage, we’re a little far off from the race yet.”

Gosden, who trains alongside his son, Thady, will have plenty of other headline runners at the Goodwood fixture, with French Master and Sweet William both going for the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.

Successful in the Copper Horse Handicap at the Royal meeting, French Master will be up in trip and class, but Gosden said: “We’re hopeful he’ll run a good race. He did a little breeze with Sweet William, there wasn’t much between them, nicely on the bridle, looking after each other. Sweet William was a neck up, actually.”

Almeraq powers to hugely impressive victory at Ayr

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William Haggas looks to have a very useful three-year-old in his armoury after Almeraq blitzed the field in the Fergie & Myra Happel Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap at Ayr.

The Shadwell-owned Dark Angel colt was making his handicap debut off a mark of 90 as the 2-1 favourite in Scotland and looked at ease as he stalked the early leaders in the six-furlong race.

He made headway at the halfway stage and moved in front at the two-furlong marker before kicking into top gear to breeze clear of his 17 rivals. Almeraq, who has an entry for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, powered to the line to complete a five-length success in the hands of Clifford Lee and enhance his growing reputation.

The four-year-old was slashed in price to 3-1 favourite with the sponsors for the Coral Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood, although Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold sounded a warning note over Almeraq lining in the big handicap on Saturday week.

“I was impressed with his performance and it’s good to see him come back to what we’d thought he might show,” Gold said.

“We always hoped last year that he would be a nice horse and he just had a few little niggles in the spring, which held William up when they wanted to get going with him.

“The only thing I would caution – I haven’t spoken to William, all options are open – but we’ve taken a long time and been very patient with him.

“Hopefully his future is all in front of him and hopefully in the autumn we will get some decent ground, so I’m not saying he won’t run at Goodwood, but I’d be surprised if he bounced straight back in after being so patient with him.

“It’s only 12 days away so let’s see. We’ll see what the weather does and see how he comes out of this.”

There was a shock in the opening racingtv.com/freetrial EBF Maiden Stakes as Chesham Stakes runner-up Thesecretadversary was beaten by debutant Rochfortbridge (28-1). Fozzy Stack’s colt went off as the 2-13 favourite, but he came out of the stalls slowly and was in the rear for much of the seven-furlong contest.

While Thesecretadversary came to the outside with two furlongs to go, Adrian Keatley’s charge proved too much as the 100,000 guineas buy claimed victory by three-quarters of a length, to leave his trainer eyeing up a tilt at the Acomb Stakes at York.

Goodwood and Deauville under consideration for My Cloud

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Roger Varian’s Royal Ascot winner My Cloud has further Group-race targets after being ruled out of the Summer Mile.

The four-year-old was the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot in June, prevailing by three-quarters of a length in a field of 30 to remain unbeaten this season.

He was due to return to the same track to step into Group company earlier this month, but an unsatisfactory scope put paid to that plan and he was withdrawn.

Alternative aims are now likely to be at the latter end of next month, with races both in England and across the Channel in France pencilled in.

“We had to take him out of the Summer Mile because he scoped dirty and he’s had treatment for that,” said Chris Wall, racing manager to owners KHK Racing.

“He’s still not quite ready to race yet, we had hoped he’d be ready to run in a Listed race at Pontefract this weekend, but that’s not going to be the case.

“We’re looking at races at the end of August, we’ve got in mind the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the Prix Quincey at Deauville at about the same time.

“We hope he’ll be ready for one of those and then we’ll take it from there.”

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