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'She thrives on racing' - Lezoo bounces back under Dettori in Princess Margaret

Lezoo wins the Princess Margaret under Frankie Dettori
Lezoo wins the Princess Margaret under Frankie DettoriCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Saturday: Ascot

Andrew Rosen waited 15 years to watch one of his horses score in Britain, but it must have felt worth it as Lezoo bounced back from defeat at Newmarket when claiming the Princess Margaret Stakes.

The two-year-old, who is co-owned by Rosen and Marc Chan, made her debut last month and was denied her hat-trick when she was beaten by Mawj following a barging match in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

Her connections stressed there was no such thing as a penalty kick, but Lezoo justified favouritism with relative ease, cruising into the contest before stretching a length clear under Frankie Dettori.

Frankie Dettori treated racegoers to a flying dismount
Frankie Dettori treated racegoers to a flying dismountCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I wish we had more like her," said the filly's trainer Ralph Beckett. "She's had four runs in a matter of weeks. She's just thrived on her racing. I didn't intend to run her here after Newmarket and thought we'd go for the Lowther, but when the ball is there at your feet, it's best to try to kick it."

Lezoo could next run in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York's Ebor meeting next month, for which she was cut to 6-1 (from 10-1) by Paddy Power. She was also cut to 16-1 (from 20-1) by Coral for next year's Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

Jumbly emulates dam

Ascot's decision to move the Longines Valiant Stakes from Friday's card was rewarded with a finish more than worthy of a vocal Saturday crowd, many of whom roared home Hollie Doyle as she galvanised Jumbly to victory in a race the filly's mother Thistle Bird had won a decade earlier.

Joint-trainer Harry Charlton was tasting Group success for the first time, but he was not lulled into believing runner-up Oscula's trainer George Boughey, who watched the race with Charlton and informed his friend Jumbly had won by half a length.

The actual winning distance was just a nose, much less than Jumbly's diminutive dam Thistle Bird's two-and-three-quarter-length margin in 2012.

The Hollie Doyle-ridden Jumbly (right) gets up on the line to beat Oscula in the Valiant Stakes
The Hollie Doyle-ridden Jumbly (right) gets up on the line to beat Oscula in the Valiant StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Emmy Rothschild's daughter of Gleneagles now has a host of August options spread across York, Goodwood and Newbury.

Charlton said: "We rode her slightly differently today. Hollie rode her in a piece of work the other day and dropped her out. She relaxed better and picked up better. That worked again today."

Fresh strikes for Fanshawe

Fresh has been knocking on the door in big Ascot handicaps, but he finally had his day in the sun with a battling win in the International Stakes.

The five-year-old, who was second in last year's Wokingham, had twice run at the track this season and it was third time lucky as he held on to score by a short head from Bless Him with the favourite Dark Shift in third.

"He deserves that," said winning trainer James Fanshawe. "He was second at Royal Ascot last season and has run well this year. We've had a sticky patch, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come."

Powerful performance

Godolphin and Charlie Appleby were not represented in the King George this year, a race they claimed 12 months ago with Derby winner Adayar, but Naval Power might be a Classic contender for 2023 after scooting clear by a six and a half lengths to win the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes.

The son of Teofilo, a National Stakes entry, is unbeaten in three starts now and is 12-1 (from 16-1) with Betfair Sportsbook for the 2,000 Guineas.


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