'We have so much belief in him' - Rumstar bounces back from Royal Ascot flop with blazing success in Coral Charge

Rumstar advertised his claims for this autumn's major sprints with a commanding win in the Coral Charge.

The five-year-old mowed down She's Quality to land the Palace House Stakes by a length and a quarter at Newmarket in May and the first two dominated another competitive sprint at the Esher track.

Jack Davison's fiery front-running mare was alone out in front for much of the trip but was forced to yield to the powerful late charge of Rumstar in the final half-furlong, with Rob Hornby getting the gelding up to score by three-quarters of a length.

"He was electric today, he really went through the gears well and he was strong at the line," the rider said after Jonathan Portman's star joined Group 1 winners Battaash and Makarova on the race's roll of honour.

Hornby added: "We've always thought so much of him and we'll keep rolling the dice in the big ones because we have so much belief in him. When he shows that kind of acceleration in these sprints, anything is possible in the Group 1 races. He's carried a penalty today, which isn't easy to do, so it shows that it's all there and we just need the stars to align."

Portman was in agreement with his rider's assessment and believed a tweak in tactics resulted in an improved effort on his 14th-placed finish in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"Everything has just got to go right on the day," he said. "Last time we got into top gear too soon and today we made the conscious decision to hold on to him a bit more and try and get him to finish and Rob did very well. He loves the horse as much as I do.

"I'm not sure where we go now to be honest. We might have to step him back up to six furlongs because options run out over five furlongs. I'd prefer to stay over five but options are limited."

Keane strikes on Bolt

The Sandown crowd watches on as Colin Keane wins on Blue BoltCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Colin Keane was in hot water at the track on Friday when appearing to break the whip rules aboard Windlord but Juddmonte's new retained rider was back in the winner's enclosure when landing the Listed Coral Distaff on Blue Bolt. 

The jockey gave the three-year-old filly an uncomplicated, prominent ride to hold off the staying-on Cajole by a length and justify 2-1 favouritism. It was her third win from four starts and enhanced her credentials for the Group 1 Matron Stakes on September 13, for which she holds an entry.

"She's a lovely filly," said her trainer Andrew Balding. "We couldn't really train her last year as she had a few niggles. She's improved with her racing and her work this year and seems to be getting better and better. She's smart."

Levey masterclass

Classic has been called some rude names by punters this year but Sean Levey proved he had the magic touch when guiding Julie Wood's five-year-old to a dominant win in the Coral Challenge.

Classic was sent off favourite at the track under Ryan Moore last time but broke slowly and could never get on terms with the winner Urban Lion, whereas this time he broke handsomely under Levey and settled beautifully in front.

The jockey, who was riding Classic for the first time, dictated the pace to perfection, managing to get a break on the field at the two-furlong pole and asking his mount to quicken at the perfect time to see off Arisaig by a length and three-quarters.

 Read more:

'It was mind-blowing' - stunned Aidan O'Brien heaps praise on Ryan Moore after Delacroix defeats Ombudsman in epic Eclipse 

John Gosden on Ombudsman's narrow Eclipse defeat: 'I did warn people it could be a messy race, I was correct' 

'I can't tell you how important he is' - Aidan O'Brien on Coolmore's Eclipse hero Delacroix 

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