Ransom Note rules in Britannia Stakes
After the high-drawn horses dominated the finish of the Royal Hunt Cup, those horses coming out of the same stalls dominated the market for the three-year-old version of the race, the Britannia Stakes.
And the market was right, just, as Ransom Note won from stall 27. The field split into two groups with Carnaby Street and Fireback heading those on the stands’ rail while Al Farahidi and Suffolk Punch were leading those racing on the far side. Just behind them Cumulus Nimbus came through to pass but it was Ransom Note, ridden by Michael Hills, who was ready to sweep from the clouds.
He was clear on the far side with less than a furlong-and-a-half to run but then Hills looked across to see a trio of horses who were closing on his from the stands’ rail.
Ransom Note had a half-length to spare over Invincible Soul, with Greyfriarschorista and Secretive a neck and head away for the minor places. The winner came from stall 27 but the second, third and fourth were drawn two, four and 10 respectively, which could make for yet another revision over whether there is a high-draw bias on the straight course.
Barry Hills, who was training the winner of the race for the first time, said: “This has been the plan all the way through. He won early on at Doncaster and he got beat at Newmarket – when one thing after another went wrong in the race – and he just got touched off. But he’s been working well since,” he added, a sentiment that was echoed by the winning jockey.
“This horse is just gorgeous to ride in the morning – everyone wants to ride him. He’s very press-button, he’s got a lovely cruising speed and a good turn of foot. As long as I did the steering it was a job done.”
Trainer James Given believes his first Royal Ascot winner, Dandino, could develop into a St Leger horse after landing the concluding King George V Handicap under Paul Mulrennan in the colours of the Elite Racing Club to remain unbeaten this year.
“It’s a very good feeling to have my first winner here,” said Given. “This horse was a very green last year and took a while to get going. I warned everyone before his first start that he was very green but he’s grown up as a three-year-old this year.
“He’d got more and more professional this year and when he won at Epsom last time he did it in the manner of a Group horse in a handicap. I thought today was one more window for him in a handicap.
“The St Leger was something we talked about after Epsom and his temperament is very good. He stayed on strongly and probably likes slightly quicker ground. I should think the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York or the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood would be possibilities.”
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