3 minute read

Adayar’s Sandown conqueror powers home under Tom Marquand.

Alenquer was a winning favourite in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trainer William Haggas was doubling his tally at this year's meeting, following the Hampton Court Stakes victory of Mohaafeth, as Tom Marquand struck from off the pace to win this Group Two by a length and a half from Tasman Bay.

The six-runner field picked its ground carefully on the round course, being used for the first time on the card after the overnight and morning deluges.

By German sire Alderflug, Alenquer – who had Derby hero Adayar immediately behind him when winning the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown – always appeared to be travelling within himself, though, and forged to the front a furlong out before holding off Tasman Bay to win as the 13-8 favourite.

Betfair cut the winner to 12-1 from 25s for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot in July, but a trip to France could be in the offing for a colt who had been in line to either be supplemented for the Derby or booked for the German Derby before meeting with a setback after Sandown.

Haggas – not present as he was preparing for Newmarket's evening meeting – said: "It was terrific and I'm really pleased.

"I think Tom only gave him a couple of flicks because it was heavy ground, but I don't think he needed to, it looked like he was always going to win.

"I'm not sure about the St Leger, I think he's a bit quicker than that but all options are open. He's not a today horse, he's very much for the longer term as well so we've lots of exciting options."

Haggas won the Hampton Court Stakes on Thursday with Mohaafeth, with at one stage both horses in the Derby reckoning before ultimately neither ran.

"With Mohaafeth I don't know what trip will be his best, he's pretty good at a mile and a quarter," said Haggas.

"The Irish Derby is next weekend so Alenquer won't be going there, he isn't in the Grand Prix de Paris, but we could go there. It is such a pain getting to France at the minute, but it's on July 14 so it's pretty good timing.

"We could supplement as it's a good race."

Marquand added: "It's very wet. I know the winning jockey always says the ground is better than it is, but we're not going in all that far down the back, it's just that surface water that's flicking up and I'm so glad we're racing today, obviously.

"I got nice instructions off William, he said get him relaxed, find a rhythm and see how you go, don't go too soon and be confident. If ever there's a way to ride a good horse, it's doing that. He was wonderful, and relaxed into a perfect rhythm.

"They couldn't run in the Dante, but they could have chucked him into the Derby at the last second, but patience is always pretty much key with horses.

"He stayed a mile and a half on soft ground extremely well, so I have no doubt William has some fancy ideas for him and I look forward to hearing them.

"I don't care (about the rain), winning is winning isn't it, and Ascot is Ascot!"

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