'He's his own worst victim' - Valiant Prince comes good for Appleby and Doyle
Friday: York
Valiant Prince gave Charlie Appleby and Godolphin the perfect pre-Royal Ascot tonic after he pieced the puzzle together in Pattern company with a storming success in the Ganton Stakes.
The four-year-old was impressive in Dubai over the winter but floundered on his British comeback when last in the Paradise Stakes at Ascot in April. However, he bounced back for a royal blue one-two in the Listed contest with a four-length success over stablemate Art Du Val.
Winning jockey James Doyle said: "He's always shown nice work but he's been really sensitive on the track. He was even one of the shortest-priced winners in history [at 1-40] at Chelmsford last year.
"Things didn't go to plan at Ascot. It was a small field and he had to make the running, but he thrived on a lead today."
Valiant Prince's success kept up the red-hot form of Appleby, who is operating at a 27 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight, ahead of next week's royal meeting, where his team includes 2,000 Guineas winner Coroebus and dual Classic hero Hurricane Lane.
Although Valiant Prince will not be at Ascot next week, Doyle is confident the son of Dubawi will be a Group winner in time.
"He's always shown us he could be a Group performer, but he's his own worst victim sometimes," he added. "Only now are we finding that he can do it like that on the track."
Happy holidays
Owner Frank Lowe's absence for Gale Force Maya's run worked a treat for the second time in a row after her brave success in the 6f fillies' handicap.
Lowe missed the six-year-old's previous win at Newmarket earlier this season and was abroad for this length victory, which teed up a return to the Knavesmire for the Summer Stakes next month.
Winning trainer Michael Dods said: "I don't know where he is but he didn't really want to be here, but his wife did! His brother [Kevin] was here, though, and it's great for them all.
"Last year she improved through the season and she's improved again. There is a Group 3 for fillies here we'll probably come back for."
Dods doubled up on the card when Northern Express picked up a second course-and-distance success in the 7f handicap.
Explicit price tag
Mark Johnston stumped up £44,000 to buy Explicit back during an intense bidding battle against fellow northern trainers after his impressive win in the 6f seller.
"We hadn't initially thought we'd go that far for him, but we just pushed Mr [Scott] Dixon a few thousand more, maybe one too many!" he said. "You couldn't have asked him to win any better than he did."
Off the mark
Matthew Ennis was relieved to break his York duck and pick up his first win of the year in the saddle when Sagauteur battled to victory in the opening 1m2½f handicap for male amateur jockeys.
"I went away to Dubai for the winter and I'm starting to pick rides back up again, but it's hard to get them," he said. "It took me six attempts to get it done. It's our home track, so it's brilliant to get off the mark here."
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Published on 10 June 2022inReports
Last updated 19:17, 10 June 2022
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