Why Royal Ascot quotes could be generous for Newmarket winner Eye Of Heaven

The market spoke volumes in the 5f novice stakes at Newmarket and Eye Of Heaven justified his short price in fantastic style by breaking the two-year-old track record over the minimum distance.

Frankie Dettori’s mount, who could be set for a tilt at the Norfolk Stakes, broke the course record previously set by Mrs Danvers in 2016 by 0.05 seconds.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt travelled kindly throughout and quickened smartly to hold off the persistent challenge of pacesetter Get It, who shaped well in second.

Watch Eye Of Heaven break the juvenile track record

Paddy Power and William Hill initially offered 8-1 about Eye Of Heaven in the Norfolk Stakes, before cutting his price to 6-1, and he was a second winner on the card for sire Exceed And Excel after the William Haggas-trained Sacred landed the opening 5f maiden fillies' stakes.

Those who raced prominently in the first race dominated and Sacred, one of five Haggas juveniles nominated for a priority slot in elimination ballots, was a ready length and three-quarter winner.

William Haggas: trainer of SacredCredit: Edward Whitaker

She was slightly short of room approaching the final furlong but soon took advantage of a gap between Sardinia Sunset and Bungledupinblue to assert under a hands-and-heels ride by James Doyle.

There was plenty to like about the performance of the Cheveley Park homebred and Paddy Power make her 8-1 for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, while the Albany is also under consideration.

The Coventry Stakes looks a suitable target for Godophin’s Creative Force after he made a favourable impression when striking in division two of the 6f maiden.

A half-brother to Group 1 winner Persuasive, Creative Force knew his job well, showed plenty of speed early on and battled admirably to deny the Andrew Balding-trained Imperial Force. He looks another smart prospect for Charlie Appleby.

Creative Force: impressive winner for Godolphin and Coventry Stakes could be nextCredit: David Davies (Getty Images)

Bright Devil continued Balding’s fine form with a determined display from the front in division one of the 6f maiden to repel the challenges of Magical Land and Existent, who similarly appear nice types.

Valpolicella – one of two nominees for Paul and Oliver Cole – landed the first division of the 6f maiden fillies’ in a slower time than the colts’ races over the same distance, while division two winnerSetarhe scored in the slowest of the four 6f events but did well to strike after looking green early on.

The Roger Varian-trained juvenile stayed on powerfully and should be of interest if lining up in the Albany.

The sole two-year-old race at Newcastle was won in authoritative fashion by the Tom Dascombe-trained Adaay Dream, who quickened nicely to defeat favourite High Peak and could be another heading to Berkshire this month.

Those who caught the eye in behind

Mahale and Happy Romance (1.15)
Shaped best of the closers, particularly the first-named filly who stayed on strongly up the hill to finish fourth.

Get It (1.50)
Showed plenty of speed and would have finished closer to Eye Of Heaven but for stumbling going into the Dip.

Mutarabes (2.25)
An encouraging effort and should be better for the experience, keeping on steadily and understandably not given too hard a time on his first start.

Sky Angel (3.35)
Outpaced going into the Dip but got the hang of things late on and kept on promisingly.

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