'Seriously exciting' Mostly Cloudy delivers dream course debut for Gemma Tutty

Friday: Ascot

Hard work paid dividends for Gemma Tutty after Mostly Cloudy recorded his fifth-successive victory to provide the fledgling trainer with her dream Ascot debut.

The progressive three-year-old powered home by four lengths under Tom Marquand to continue his flying form this season, with Tutty now aiming to step into Group company with the odds-on winner.

"It's my first runner and first winner at Ascot, I've never even been before," a relieved Tutty said. "The race was tense but he's looked the most impressive yet today and is seriously exciting. I'm just so glad he's fulfilled the potential we thought he had and more.

"He's hard work. He has to have a lead everywhere and wrestled me around the stable saddling him, but once the stalls open he's the picture of professionalism. He's on his toes but if he can win like that you don't mind.

"He's entered in the Lonsdale Cup but there's also a Group 3 at Chantilly in August as another option. We'll go and reassess, he's in the sales but I'm hoping the owners want to hang onto him for a little bit longer!"

Marquand was quick to divert praise to the former rider, who partnered Mostly Cloudy last year in his final start for Tutty's mother Karen.

"They've done a fantastic job to get him out of a big yard like Andrew Balding's after one run, spotting that potential and getting five wins out of him with still more to come," Marquand said.

"Today she asked me what I wanted to do with him. Some days it's impossible to do that but it gives you confidence that if it does go wrong she understands as she's ridden him too. It must be great training with that sort of insight."

Smith scores

Becky Smith also enjoyed a first success at the track after Carnival Zain stormed to success in the 7f Lady Amateur Riders' Trophy.

The 2-1 favourite made amends for missing the race last year to give Smith her first Ascot victory in six starts.

Becky Smith celebrates her first Ascot success on Friday with Carnival ZainCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"To win a race at Ascot is massive," she said. "I struggled for a few years to even get a ride in this race.

"This horse was entered last year, but the ground was a little bit quicker than today and we took him out. I wish we hadn't. He's better now and although he's not easy to deal with he loves his racing. This is a dream for me."

York considerations

Discussions about which trip to run over next were at the centre of the post-race debrief between Kevin Philippart de Foy and Jack Mitchell after Juan De Montalban delivered a game success in the 1m4f handicap.

The four-year-old was cut to 14-1 (from 20) with Betfair for next month's Ebor, which would see him return to 1m6f - a distance the gelding is yet to conquer in two starts.

De Foy said: "I'm not sure he stays the extra two furlongs yet, on pedigree and physically it looks as if he does but every time we try he doesn't get the trip. I'd like to try that distance one more time but he seems comfortable over this trip."

Juan De Montalban pulls clear under Jack Mitchell to strike in the 1m4f handicapCredit: Edward Whitaker

The success continued the fine season of the Newmarket-based trainer, who this week surpassed his season's best tally with 32 winners.

He said: "I'm someone who is always quite negative – it's never good enough. We've had as many seconds as winners, but I suppose it's good to see them running well."

Results, replays and analysis

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