3 minute read

Heaven's Guest just held on under apprentice Jack Garritty to win the Gigaset International Stakes at Ascot.

Richard Fahey's seasoned campaigner took three lengths out of the field when going on two furlongs out in this valuable handicap.

The pack started to close inside the last 100 yards, but Garritty kept Heaven's Guest (7-1) up to his work to win by a head from Balty Boys (20-1).

Garritty said: "I was always confident.

"This is a proper good handicapper and he's proved himself in Listed class in Ireland.

"I was a bit worried about the draw but it's worked out well."

Fahey, speaking from York, said: "We've had three good Saturdays, but it's down to the team - it's great for everybody.

"He's just a true professional horse by a great sire in Dark Angel.

"He's been a wonderful horse."

Mick Scaife, joint-owner of Heaven's Guest, said: "He likes all these big handicaps and we thought he would be there or thereabouts. We expected him to be in the top four."

There was drama at the start when Speculative Bid, the well-backed 4-1 favourite, came out of the stalls minus his jockey Jamie Spencer.