racingbetter.co.uk
racing news  

rss feed racing news /

 

Bassett on Course for St James's Palace Stakes
20/05/11

Richard Fahey's classy colt Wootton Bassett might have tasted his first ever defeat in last weekend's French 2000 Guineas but connections feel they have learned from the experience and are looking forward to heading to Royal Ascot in mid-June for a clash with the mighty Frankel in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes, writes Elliot Slater.

Wootton Bassett
© Racehorse Photos

Wootton Bassett

The winner of all five starts as a juvenile in 2010 including famous successes in the big Doncaster Sales race at the St Leger fixture in September, followed by an even more impressive effort when beating Tin Horse (winner of last week's French 2000 Guineas) by two-and-a-half-lengths in the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, Wootton Bassett was sent off the 11/8 f for the Longchamp race but a last-minute change of tactics employed by Fahey and his stable jockey Paul Hanagan backfired and in the end he could only finish fifth of the 14 runners, beaten just under four-lengths. Those looking at the Ascot odds wouldn't have been impressed.

Having seen the 1000 Guineas earlier on in the afternoon Fahey was concerned that a patient ride might prove problematic as runners in the fillies' races had all been getting in each others' way allowing the front-runners to dominate. Jockey and trainer decided to jump out and try and make all the running but the Iffraaj colt ran too free in the early stages, on what was his first outing of the season, and in the end had nothing left to give when the sprint for home began in the last 300 metres.

Returning home a little sore, Fahey now reports Wootton Bassett to be back to his old self and connections are looking forward to having a crack at Frankel in the one mile three-year-old's Group 1 on the opening day of the royal meeting. Henry Cecil's superstar remains a red-hot 1/3 favourite, Tin Horse is offered at 8/1, and Wootton Bassett can be backed at 10/1.

tumpline internet home | associations | bloodstock agents | bookmakers | information | horses | jockeys | links | overseas | portals | racecourses | race horse trainers | sales | studs | syndicates | submit site email
© racingbetter.co.uk • 91 Tribune Drive • Carlisle • CA3 0LE