DUKE OF EDINBURGH

STAKES (HANDICAP)

TRAINER Ralph Beckett has had more than his share of disappointments and disqualifications over the past year or so and, even though Simple Verse was re-awarded the St Leger on appeal, he admitted it did not feel quite the same.

Imagine his feelings then, when Kinema and Fran Berry held on in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes but Ryan Moore, trying to come between that horse and Godolphin’s Elite Army in the last half-furlong, was left short of room and had to switch to the outer on Sir Michael Stoute’s Kings Fete.

A stewards’ inquiry was inevitable but, the more observers looked at the tape, the more it seemed that, even if Kinema was edging right and leaving Kings Fete short of room, it was an unlikely gap to go for in the first place. In short, this simply was not Moore’s day and he probably thought it highly unlikely there would be any alteration to the result. Even if there had been it would have been to the top-weight Elite Army’s advantage because he was against the far rail, finished second and did not contribute to any problems.

True, the result was confirmed quicker than anyone expected but it was the correct decision.

Kinema, who won on his debut for the Beckett yard at Goodwood last time, stays a mile and a half and beyond. He was given a good ride by Berry, who has settled in well at the stable, and moved through to take it up after Godolphin’s front-running A Soldier’s Life had led them into the straight. Elite Army ranged alongside his colleague and took the honours if not the spoils under 9st 10lb but the winner was not be denied. He was returned at 8/1.