Raheen House verdict dents `treble´ delight for Frankie Dettori at Ascot
Frankie Dettori was denied a treble on his first day riding in Britain since steering Enable to glory in the Arc after Weekender was stripped of victory in the LondonMetric Noel Murless Stakes.
The three-times champion jockey fell foul of the stewards in the mile-and-three-quarter Listed contest, with the John Gosden-trained colt placed behind Raheen House following late interference between the pair.
Victory for the Brian Meehan-trained 9-2 chance saw him atone for his disappointing effort in last month’s St Leger and set up a potential return to Ascot for a tilt at the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.
Frankie Dettori was back in action at Ascot after his brilliant victory aboard Enable in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Raheen House has been awarded the Noel Murless Stakes in an amended result - and here's the reaction from Jamie Spencer pic.twitter.com/tRf0P4ctZN — Racing UK (@Racing_UK) October 6, 2017
Meehan said: “The horse is a good horse and he has got a huge future. Jamie (Spencer) was very complimentary about him at Goodwood, Ascot, Newmarket and again today.
“He has just reiterated every time that he thinks the horse has got a huge future as a stayer.
“Plans going forward, I will wait and see. I would definitely like to consider Champions Day. He loves this track and he loves his racing. He is a real old show off.”
Jockey @FrankieDettori celebrates a winner on his first domestic ride since winning the Arc on Enable on Zwayyan for William Haggas @Ascot pic.twitter.com/7EVTm501pJ — Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) October 6, 2017
Dettori had initiated a double through the William Haggas-trained Zwayyan (11-4) in the Neptune Investment Management Classified Stakes.
The Italian said: “That was not exactly Enable. I am walking on air still. I’ve watched it (Arc) a million times and I will never get fed up. What a performance.
“I didn’t do much this week. I went to the sales and went to see her a few times and rode out work. I am still on cloud nine.”
A double for @FrankieDettori as NOBLY BORN eases away to win the Original @HarrogateSpring Handicap Stakes pic.twitter.com/I5Gc1qs1GC — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 6, 2017
The application of a set of blinkers appeared to have the desired effect on Nobly Born (9-1) who opened his account for the season and completed Dettori’s brace when pulling clear to land the Original Harrogate Water Handicap.
Tony Proctor, travelling head lad to winning trainer Gosden, said: “He was decent and ran really well as a two-year-old. The boss put blinkers on for a reason and they seemed to have worked.”
Ian Williams was left singing the praises of Ryan Moore after he partnered Shady McCoy (13-2) to his first victory in more than a year when pocketing the Veolia Handicap by a length and a half.
Williams said: “It is not often I’m in awe of a jockey, but to be drawn where he was drawn and finish where he finished drawn 17 and to finish on the far right side of the track, I thought was an exceptional performance by one of the best jockeys.”
I'm in awe of the ride Ryan Moore gave Shady McCoy #worldie https://t.co/lyhEr8iaBU — Ian Williams Racing (@ianwilliamsraci) October 6, 2017
Quote of the day
Ahead of Dominating gaining his fourth win of the season in the concluding two-mile handicap, owner Alan Spence had questioned the prospects of the gelding going jumping with trainer Mark Johnston – a question appeared left unanswered.
He said: “I said to Mark what about sending him jumping. He said we will think about that, then walked away!.”
Ride of the day
Mukalal clearly only just gets seven furlongs and champion jockey Jim Crowley got his timing spot on from the front to get the Marcus Tregoning-trained gelding home by a nose in the seven-furlong handicap.
Performance of the day
DOMINATING holds on for @MJR_Middleham to win the final race of the day pic.twitter.com/zRAVwccIN5 — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 6, 2017
Dominating has been on the go since May but he showed no signs of a long season catching up with him when taking a fourth win of the campaign. He looks like he could be an above-average stayer next season.