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Out on his own: George Bowen blows rivals away to strike for Fahey

George Bowen clears away to win the second race in emphatic fashion
George Bowen clears away to win the second race in emphatic fashionCredit: Edward Whitaker

George Bowen made an absolute mockery of the Infinity Tyres Handicap, sweeping to the front a furlong from home and going clear in the run-up to the line to win by six lengths.

The visored grey, bred by At The Races and ITV presenter Kevin Blake, has often struggled to win but certainly didn't today, as jockey Connor Beasley could barely pull him up.

Returning at 10-1, he gave local trainer Richard Fahey a first winner of the meeting.
George Bowen returned to winning ways for the first time since September 2015
George Bowen: returned to winning ways at YorkCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
Fahey is unlikely to remain on one winner, but afterwards he revealed he wasn't expecting the son of Dark Angel to figure whatsoever: "That was a bit of a shock."

Click here to view George Bowen's demolition job of the Infinity Tyres Handicap


"I thought he didn't like the track and he'd never run well here, including in this race twice, but he's come down a few pounds, he ran okay at Doncaster and he's got his confidence back."

The remarkable Foolaad, who was seeking a sixth consecutive win, stuck on well to finish second at 14-1. The classy Danzeno, who has often run his best races at the track, was third at 11-1 with veteran Out Do, who won the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last year, fourth at 14-1.

Hamada enters Royal Ascot picture

Proceedings at this year's Dante meeting got under way with a thrilling duel in the the opening Jorvik Handicap, in which Godolphin's Hamada edged out Crowned Eagle by a head at a bright and breezy York.

Conditions could not be more different than they were 12 months ago when Master Carpenter plugged through the mud to claim the Sky Bet First Race Special Handicap on ground officially described as soft. His 12-1 win began a good day for the bookies with winners also at 14-1, 20-1 and 25-1.
Hamada (left) downs Crowned Eagle (right) in a thrilling finish to the first race
Hamada (left) downs Crowned Eagle (right) in a thrilling finish to the first raceCredit: Edward Whitaker

It was the punters who were cheering on this occasion though, as William Buick's mount, who was sent off the 5-2 favourite, stuck on well to deny the front-running Crowned Eagle on good to firm ground described by Buick as "absolutely perfect".

Hamada – a four-year-old who had only run four times beforehand – looks likely to make up for lost time.

In recent years this race has produced some smart types, with Arab Spring (2014) and Barsanti (2016) – who claimed the Listed Buckhounds Stakes at Ascot last weekend – on the roll of honour, and Hamada clearly has the potential to match their exploits.

"He had to be brave as he was engaged in a ding dong battle from two furlongs out," said Buick.

"We're delighted with him as he showed tenacity and stayed well. The Duke of Edinburgh is an obvious race for him and we think he's a nice horse."


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