Roy Rocket and Pour La Victoire bid for record tenth Brighton win

The battle between Roy Rocket and Pour La Victoire to become the winningmost horse at Brighton intensifies on Friday when both share star billing on the card.

It’s no surprise that the unique roller-coaster gradients of the Sussex track have produced plenty of course specialists over the years, and Roy Rocket and Pour La Victoire currently have nine wins to their name along with the long-retired sprinter Shikari’s Son.

The grey Roy Rocket, a hugely popular sight at his beloved Brighton, tackles the Download The Star Sports App Now Handicap (3.35).

It is always a big day for John Berry when he takes his stable star to the south coast, but victory on Friday would prove even more special as the Newmarket trainer will be celebrating his 53rd birthday.

Roy Rocket has yet to fire in three starts at Brighton this year and the forecast of heavy rain is a concern, but you can never rule the nine-year-old out.

“He doesn’t seem to have quite found his form yet, and will be one of the outsiders tomorrow,” Berry said. “I think that’s mainly because he started the season high in the handicap after winning three races last year.

“It was an odd race last time out. They were all so strung out from the start. Roy likes to sit last and give his running in the final two furlongs, but things just didn’t work out that day. It’s hard to be confident. I’d be happier if the race was over a mile and a half, but I hope he’ll run well.”

Berry is a fan of Pour La Victoire too. “The record would be nice, but I don’t feel any rivalry at all,” he said. “I’m just so grateful to have a horse who has won so many times at Brighton. I'd imagine the connections of Pour La Victoire feel the same. If Pour La Victoire won on Friday I’d be really pleased for them.”

Pour La Victoire: bids for a tenth success at BrightonCredit: Mark Cranham

Tony Carroll, the trainer of Pour La Victoire, who runs in the 6f Read Silvestre De Sousa’s Exclusive Blog starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap (3.05), echoed those comments. “It’s good fun, and nice to have the two horses running at Brighton tomorrow,” he said.

“Pour La Victoire enjoyed a great year in 2018. He’ll pay for it with the handicapper for a while, and is a little high in the weights. He’s in good form, though, and would have a chance if the race is run to suit him. The yard is going well, and I don’t think he will be far away.”

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