Frankie’s back: Dettori and Mighty Ulysses land at Newmarket for the Gosdens
Frankie Dettori made his return to the Clarehaven riding ranks a winning one as he guided 11-10 favourite Mighty Ulysses to a cosy victory in the Listed Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.
Newmarket’s July festival marked the end of the Dettori/Gosden ‘sabbatical’ that came about after a series of high-profile reversals for the famous duo that spilled into the public domain at Royal Ascot.
The split, which was indefinite at the time it was announced, was reversed earlier this week when Gosden announced Dettori would ride Emily Upjohn in the Irish Oaks, Inspiral in Friday’s Falmouth Stakes and Mighty Ulysses here.
The pair were headed inside the final two furlongs but got back to the front to win by a length and a half going away.
‘Guineas horse’ Persian Force thrills Hannon and Ryan with dominant display
Thursday: Close Brothers July Stakes, Newmarket
When comparisons are being made with Canford Cliffs and next season’s 2,000 Guineas is already being talked about, it is well worth taking note, and winning connections were making all the right noises following Persian Force’s clinical victory in the Group 2 Close Brothers July Stakes.
Second in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Persian Force was spared a showdown with Windsor Castle Stakes scorer Little Big Bear just 20 minutes before the race when his market rival was withdrawn due to the ground, and Persian Force took full advantage as the 1-2 favourite.
The winner was following in the footsteps of his sire Mehmas, who also finished runner-up in the Coventry before landing the July Stakes, and winning trainer Richard Hannon is so excited by Persian Force that he is already talking about him as a future stallion.
“This fellow is probably as good a two-year-old as we’ve had for a long time,” said Hannon. ”He’s always made me tingle. I’m sure he’s a Group 1 winner waiting to happen and he’s an ideal horse to make a very good stallion. He’s a gorgeous looker and has everything good horses have.”
The end goal this season is likely to be the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over 7f on October 8, but potential trips to Ireland or France could come first according to Hannon, winning the July Stakes for a fourth time under his own name.
“I do think this horse will get seven furlongs,” he said. “We don’t have to go there immediately, but at the end of the year we will. His temperament is exemplary and he behaves and looks like very good two-year-olds do, and I hope it’s a step on to better things.
“We’ll have a look at the National Stakes in Ireland and the Prix Morny. My dad rang me after the Coventry and said he’ll win the Guineas. He has speed, but because he’s so sensible he has every chance of getting that trip.”
Coral offered a tempting-looking 33-1 (from 50-1) about the winner for the next season’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas and there was nothing that winning rider Rossa Ryan said to put anyone off.
“Richard is the master of two-year-olds,” said Ryan “Building up to Royal Ascot there was talk that he’s as good as Canford Cliffs – his words not mine – and I was getting excited. It’s great to have something with a proper engine like he has underneath you. It’s a magical feeling.
“At Royal Ascot we were unlucky on the day, but today when I pressed go he was gone straight away and we’re starting to see the real deal now. He has everything and he’s as good a horse as I’ve ridden so far in my career.”
Ryan Moore, who had been due to ride Little Big Bear, described the going as good to firm, the same description Little Big Bear had won on at Royal Ascot, but the colt was withdrawn on this occasion.
fonte : Racing Post
