Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

IT was a case of what might have been again for the unlucky Fox Chairman, and just as in the Dee Stakes at Chester he met more than his share of trouble having been snatched up soon after the start.

Credit must go to Sangarius who won by two and a quarter lengths after showing a smart turn of foot to shake loose from the pack, and he was a worthy winner. King Ottokar did his bit to boost the Chester Vase win of Sir Dragonet by finishing a fine third, and wins for both Dashing Willoughby here and Technician in the Prix Ridgway are shining a positive light on Aidan O’Brien’s colt despite his unfortunate reverse at Epsom.

Tricky course

Frankie Dettori again did the steering, and showed his mastery of this tricky course again as he helped Sir Michael Stoute’s son of Kingman deliver on his huge early promise, which threatened to be squandered when he flopped in the Dewhurst. He proved this was his trip, and showcase a smart turn of foot which will see him competitive in better company.

Dettori had plenty to say later in the day, but it was the end of his post-race interview which revealed what makes him such a force on days like this: “I embrace the pressure. It is part and parcel of the job and I thrive off it.

“He is a horse we have always liked a lot,” said trainer Sir Michael Stoute. “He did it well, he was tight for space, and he couldn’t get enough room to get into a rhythm. But he has a turn of foot, and he is improving. He very quickly put a lot of space between himself and the field, that is a good sign!”

Magnanimous

Connections of the placed horses were magnanimous in defeat, despite a feeling that both would have been closer with a clear run.

“I think the winner has run very well and we take nothing away from him, but we would have been closer,” was the succinct response from Andrew Balding, while Charlie Fellowes was more rueful.

“I’m proud of the performance but you just wonder what would’ve happened if we had been positioned where Sangarius was, because we probably gave away quite a few lengths. Today was not his day, but we can go forward positive with King Ottokar for the rest of the season. He has proved himself in a top-class race and we have a lot to look forward to. This was our Derby today so we’ll get him back home and see where we go from here.”