Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

IN a way, the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes was all about one horse, with Wes Ward’s Golden Pal quickly into stride under Andrea Atzeni and soon lengths ahead of his field. Indeed, for 1,090 of the 1,100 yards of this contest, he remained in front, but he could not shake off the tenacious The Lir Jet (Michael Bell/Oisin Murphy), a son of 2016 Norfolk winner Prince Of Lir, and the gallant son of Uncle Mo found he had no more to give as Oisin Murphy produced a last gasp challenge in the Qatar Racing colours, denying Golden Pal by a neck.

The pair were three lengths ahead of Imperial Force (Andrew Balding/James Doyle) in third, with Aidan O’Brien’s Lipizzaner fourth having struggled to go the pace.

The heavy favourite for this contest was the Mark Johnston-trained Eye Of Heaven, and he settled into a good spot for Frankie Dettori, only to find nothing when asked to move into contention. This was bitterly disappointing given he had readily accounted for Windsor Castle winner Tactical on his debut at Newmarket, but it may be that he simply failed to handle the different surface. It was certainly too bad to be true from the 7/4 favourite.

Bargain buy

The winner, third best in the betting at 9/2, had run out a ready winner at Yarmouth earlier in the month, after which he was bought privately to race for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani. He looks a bargain after this victory, and original owner Nick Bell, son of the winning trainer will hopefully have included a rider about bonus payments in the event of Royal Ascot success.

The colt was almost unwanted at the sales, going through the ring for just £8,000 at Goffs (UK) in August, where he was bought by Brazilian jockey-cum-pinhooker Robson Aguiar.

Aguiar, quickly gaining a name as a shrewd judge of bloodstock, had intended selling him at the breeze-ups, but when those where cancelled earlier in the year, Bell stepped in to buy him privately, and it stands to reason that both he and Aguiar have done well out of the deal. With his latest owner now celebrating a Group 2 win, everyone is smiling.