Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes
Group 3, Newmarket 14:30 £60,000 added, 5f, Class 1
Saturday 30th April 2016

1 Profitable 20/1
2 Jungle Cat 6/1
3 Waady 9/2F
NR: Sir Maximilian (IRE)
21 ran Distances: ½l, nk, nk
TIME 58.59s (slow by 0.99s)

Profitable wins the Palace House Stakes for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby

Profitable
© Racehorse Photos

Not unexpectedly, the field spread out across the width of the course from the start, with Take Cover taking the majority of the field along on the far side of the track, and outsider Hay Chewed in front of the half-dozen on the stands;' side.

But Hay Chewed ran the race of her life to keep her group in contention and approaching the furlong-pole, it became apparent that the smaller group were still right in the reckoning.

As Take Cover began to wilt, Spirit Quartz burst through to lead the far-side contingent, but he ultimately had to settle for fourth place as Profitable shot home to land the spoils for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby, ahead of Jungle Cat, who ended up somewhat isolated in the middle of the track, with Waady a solid third on his reappearance.

The was quoted at 16/1 from 40/1 with SkyBet for the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and Cox seemed keen on the idea of calling next at Royal Ascot.

"We felt he had strengthened up, but I felt he may need the run," he said. "The horses are in great nick and this horse has the profile to go on and have a good season.

"He's out of an Indian Ridge mare and we always felt he'd cope with softer ground, but I think he likes this nice ground.

"He ran well at Ascot over six furlongs last year but I think he's better at five and he should be okay in all those big sprints.

"I'd be slightly guarded if the ground was too soft anywhere as when he ran in France last year, it poured down and when he comes off the bridle he's not as effective.

"We'll be loaded to go anywhere, he's in the King's Stand and we'll take stepping stones between there. There's Haydock (Temple Stakes) and France (Prix du Gros-Chene) so we've got choices."

Kirby added: "He's improved from last year, he's twice the size he was and physically grown up.

"I'm really chuffed for this horse, he could go the right places.

"I had a good lead till past halfway and then I had to go on and win, you don't know if you're in front until you cross the line."

Of runner-up Jungle Cat, trainer Charlie Appleby said:

Appleby said of the runner-up: "Six is his trip as he just catches him out between the two and the one. He was flat to the boards but he stayed on nicely.

"He's in at York but I think we'll wait for Ascot, that will be his main aim."

Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes (Group 3)
£60,000 added, 5f, Class 1
21 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places