'I love him to bits' - Go Bears Go gets Loughnane dreaming of the big time

Wednesday: Ascot

Dave Loughnane is in a hurry to reach the top and the speedy Go Bears Go could be the horse to take him there, judged on the way he struck in the Pavilion Stakes.

The Group 3 is a trial for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June and Go Bears Go is a general 10-1 for that after his success.

The three-year-old provided Loughnane with his biggest win - last year's Railway Stakes at the Curragh - and there is conviction in the trainer's words when it comes to his chances of registering a first top-level triumph.

"He'd run through a brick wall for you and is as honest as the day is long, and I love him to bits," Loughnane said. "He's exciting and there's lots to look forward to."

Go Bears Go, who was ridden by Rossa Ryan, runs in the colours of Peter Waney and Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing, who have played their part in launching Loughnane into the spotlight.

Amo's racing manager Emily Scott said: "Dave used Rossa at an early stage and then Amo took Rossa on as a retained jockey, and the connection with Dave grew from there.

"When I came on board, the first thing Kia said to me was to go and see Dave's yard and tell him what it was like. I went and took about 50 pictures and we love the way Dave and his wife Sarah do things."

Bakeel picks up pleasingly under Jack Mitchell (green cap)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Norfolk option for Bakeel

One of the positives of the 2020 lockdown was jockey Jack Mitchell's link up with owner Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah and the partnership could have a Royal Ascot prospect on their hands in Bakeel, who made a winning start in 5f the juvenile contest.

He was trainer Andrew Balding's first winner for the owner, who was at the sales in Newmarket with the intention of adding to his firepower.

Mitchell, who enjoyed his finest campaign in 2021, said: "I got approached just after lockdown to ride for the family and they're lovely. They're very kind to me and my family, and have built up their stock in terms of quality."

Shown a Coral ante-post price of 12-1 for the Norfolk Stakes, the rider went on: "You probably saw in the paddock he was a hand bigger than everything else. They were real racey two-year-olds and some had good form, so we didn't know what to expect, but he's obviously got an engine.

"Sheikh Abdullah wants black-type horses. Him and his son Faisal hand-pick them and it pays off. He was nice and raw, but wasn't raw when I pressed the button. Faisal's very enthusiastic and I think if he had the choice between school and racing he'd pick racing!"

Grande Dame (black) swoops late in the hands of Ryan MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gosdens step up a gear

Further evidence the powerful string of Newmarket bigwig John Gosden are running into form came when Grande Dame won the conditions race for three-year-old fillies.

She runs in the silks of Coolmore partner Michael Tabor's wife Doreen, whose black and white colours were also sported by promising Nicky Henderson inmate Walking On Air during the last jumps season.

Grande Dame, who was making her debut, will not be appearing over hurdles anytime soon and an entry in the Coronation Stakes at the royal meeting is also speculative.

"I think that was me being silly," said Gosden, who trains in partnership with his son Thady.

The duo have a live Cazoo Oaks contender in last week's eyecatching Sandown winner Emily Upjohn and Gosden added: "We've been a little bit behind. The weather changed because it got very warm at the end of March and then it got colder and I took a pull with them.

"I've learned down the years not to be in a hurry. They're coming through now, but we're running the 2,000 Guineas on April 30, so it's all a bit early this year as that's where Easter falls. We're happy enough and our fillies are stronger than our colts."

New Mandate returns in style under Frankie Dettori,Credit: Edward Whitaker

Mandate back with a bang

Relief and delight were Ralph Beckett's emotions after New Mandate defied a 312-day layoff to land the Listed Paradise Stakes.

"I wasn't sure what to expect," said the trainer. "He was a very sick horse after the Jersey last year and spent two months in a field. He wasn't right at all and we never really got to the bottom of it.

"What we do next is the question and he's in the Lockinge and Queen Anne and we'll see how we go."

Results, replays and analysis

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