3 minute read
William Haggas’ six-year-old bounced back to his best with a bold front-running display to win the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Thursday evening.
Roberto Escobarr (7/5) recorded his first success at Group level when showing a tenacious attitude to land the Group 3 Henry II Stakes.
He was somewhat disappointing when turned over at odds-on in a Wolverhampton conditions event on his reappearance but seemingly reaped the benefits from that outing with a much-improved performance at the Esher venue this evening.
Richard Kingscote made his intentions clear from the outset and allowed the six-year-old gelding to stride into a clear lead straight out of the stalls. The pair soon found themselves six lengths clear and Richard Kingscote was allowed to dictate his own fractions throughout much of the contest. Frankie Dettori looked to be travelling ominously well on his mount Enemy entering the home straight, but Ian William Haggas' charge found little for pressure and soon weakened out of contention. Richard Kingscote continued to increase the tempo out in front and Roberto Escobarr dug deep to eventually fend off a challenging Nate The Great (9/2) by a neck. Harry and Roger Charlton's Sleeping Lion finished third.
Speaking with Racing TV, jockey Richard Kingscote said: "Mr Haggas was pretty confident he wanted him to make the running. I learned a lot on this horse the last day I rode him [when third at Wolverhampton] and it worked out well in the end."
"My lad is a very relaxed horse who doesn't do much but keep going, so I was able to get up through the gears nice and early and put them under pressure."
"Today was perfect - the ground was beautiful out there - and we got to do our own thing out in front. He's a dream ride really because when you're in front you know you can do what you want because he doesn't take you on. He just relaxes and does everything you ask."
