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The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is the intended target for impressive Chester maiden winner Hackman.
The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is the intended target for impressive Chester maiden winner Hackman.
Trained by Hugo Palmer, the Mehmas colt had finished third in a hot Newmarket maiden on debut behind Blue Storm and looked as if he would learn from the experience.
Ridden by James Doyle, he started favourite for the 5f British EBF Ruby Anniversary Maiden Stakes at Chester on Thursday and made all, racing clear of the second-placed Innvincible (correct spelling?) Friend to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths. The manner of his victory was very professional for a colt having his second start, a trait which will undoubtedly help him at Royal Ascot.
After the race, owner Michael Owen said, "He's a really good horse and he's very fast – he's five furlongs through and through.
"This place means a lot to me and to win here means a lot. It's an important meeting and we're on the board with what we thought was our best chance of the week. He's a nice horse and we've always thought Royal Ascot with him, and I don't think he's changed our minds there.
"I really wanted to win that one. I've been fortunate to win plenty of races around the world and Group Ones and people might be thinking 'a poxy little maiden round Chester' but I wanted to win that one.
"He is just everything you want in an early two-year-old, he jumps quick and he's a little bull of a horse. He's great and I love him."