3 minute read
Although better known for his jumping exploits, Nicky Henderson is no stranger to Royal Ascot success and enjoyed further Royal meeting glory as Ahorsewithnoname (7/1) stayed on stoutly in the Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap).
Hugo Palmer's Solent Gateway took them along in the initial stages as the field began to sort itself out over the 2m4f trip. Archie Watson's keen going Throne Hall took up the running approaching halfway, but neither was able to sustain the gallop as the pair came under pressure approaching the two pole. Ian Williams would have been hopeful of yet another success in this contest as his Law Of The Sea struck the front approaching the furlong marker, but eyes were soon drawn to Ahorsewithnoname, who buried her way up the rail to take it up inside the final furlong under William Buick. The pair surged clear in the closing stages and eventually ran out comfortable one-and-three-quarter-length winners over Richard Hughes' Calling The Wind (15/2).
The Alan King-trained Tritonic (20/1) produced an excellent effort to finish back in third under top weight while Law Of The Sea (8/1) rallied well close home to finish fourth.
It was a second Ascot Stakes success for trainer Nicky Henderson having previously struck gold with Veiled in 2011.
Henderson said: "There was less pressure today [compared to the Cheltenham Festival]. I don't just say that because it's a Flat race – after all it is Royal Ascot for goodness sake and a big day in anyone's life – but it's not the Champion Hurdle with the pressure you get in that. Any race at Cheltenham is very special and any race at Royal Ascot is the same. We love having a go here.
"I said to William [Buick] whatever you do don't ask Ryan [Moore] how to ride her because he'll tell you to drop her out the back! No, I'm sure they all help each other out.
"William gave her a beautiful ride. She had a dream run and the rain last night helped her. I've been saying Cracksman probably helped more than anyone. It definitely changed her – she's much sharper. She was a laid-back filly but, since her visit to him in Newmarket at Dalham Hall Stud, it has woken her up a bit. It's been a tried-and-tested route, but you can only do it once and you have just 90 days in which to do it. On some mares it might have the opposite effect and they go all dreamy and mummy, but not her."
Buick said: "The filly gave me a beautiful ride and Nicky was very confident beforehand. She came here in great shape and throughout the race it was just a case of staying with them.
"I needed a bit of luck from where I was [on the rail] but, to be fair to her when I asked her to quicken, she picked up. Not many horses can do that over this trip. I got the gaps when I needed them and a bit of luck.
"It's always nice to get a winner on the first day or early in the meeting. It's a great week and I'm really looking forward to the rest of it."
Richard Hughes said of Calling The Wind: "I'm very proud of him. Next year he'll come back in his wheelchair! Billy [Loughnane] gave him a lovely ride - it's a big occasion for a young fella and I don't think any jockey could have ridden him any better."
Asked if he was tempted to run Calling The Wind again on Saturday, Hughes replied: "We'll see. There's a race for him at Goodwood as well. He's not getting any younger now. We'll think about it, but it's a long way round here going two and a half miles.
"I was just hoping he could get in front - and then one came up on his outside and he fought him off, too. He was very brave. I just wish Nicky Henderson would stick to his jumpers! It's annoying, but he's a super horse. We've had him four or five years now, and we bought him for cheap money and we've had great fun. He's a real yard favourite and gets all the special treatment."
Loughnane added: "Calling The Wind ran a great race. The wide draw [13] probably beat him and the winner got a nice run through up the rail. He had everything else covered apart from that. He's a genuine little horse and hopefully he'll get his day in the sun soon."
