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'She was back to her best' - Star of Lady M earns chance of Royal Ascot trip

Trainer David O'Meara
David O'Meara: 'I have no desire to step her up in trip at present'

Saturday: Beverley

Star of Lady M fluffed her lines at Chester but the return to a more conventional track saw her stake a claim for a trip to Royal Ascot next month.

The 7-1 shot stayed on powerfully throughout the final furlong in the hands of Danny Tudhope to peg back the leader Primrose Ridge close home for a three-quarters of a length verdict in the Hilary Needler Trophy.

“Chester was a disaster – she hated the track. She got very lit up and hung right all the way,” said trainer David O’Meara.

The Hilary Needler Trophy has often thrown up a filly good enough to go to Royal Ascot – the 2016 winner Easton Angel went on to finish second in the Queen Mary Stakes – and the showpiece fixture is on the cards for the daughter of Havana Grey.

“I’m delighted that she was back to her best and five furlongs clearly suits her well, so I have no desire to step her up in trip at present,” said O’Meara.

“I didn't have anything in particular in mind but I'll talk things over with the owner and I guess he might like to go to Royal Ascot with her.”

Chateau for Windsor Castle

Royal Ascot is also on the agenda for Chateau after he escaped from a spot of traffic problems in the nick of time to secure the bet365 Two-Year-old Trophy.

As soon as William Buick manoeuvred Chateau into the clear, the 2-1 favourite finished to great effect to catch the front-running Rogue Spirit close home to win by a neck.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt was underlining his potential, having stepped up considerably on his debut third at Salisbury. A possible target is the Listed five-furlong Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 15.

Buick had travelled north for a strong book of rides and was on the mark when the Roger Varian-trained Robert Walpole was another favourite to oblige in the 1m2f handicap.

Earlier, Buick missed out when odds-on Land Of Eagles was well beaten in the 7f maiden. The race was won by Spells At Dawn, whose young trainer Alex French was registering his fifth success since taking out a licence in December 2020.


Results, replays and analysis


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Published on 28 May 2022inReports

Last updated 19:33, 28 May 2022

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