Raven’s Pass finally got the big win

Raven’s Pass (3-1) finally got the big win his efforts deserved as he outfought long-time nemesis Henrythenavigator in a thrilling renewal of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Aidan O’Brien’s dual 2000 Guineas winner had beaten John Gosden’s charge three times, but Raven’s Pass got much closer in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and clearly improved again, winning by a length. French mare Sabana Perdida took third.

“The jockey and trainer have finally got it right!” exclaimed Gosden.

“It is not bad being in front of that good horse for a change, and he had to come and get us. It was nice to track Tamayuz and it was great to finish ahead of Henrythenavigator.

“It all went wrong in the Guineas from the draw but he ran a blinder in the St James’s Palace. We knew this time we would be a little handier, that was the only plan – be handier.

“The plan now is to go to the Breeders’ Cup and he could run in the Mile or the Classic. He sees his races out well now and physically he has done very well.

“If the Mile was run somewhere like Belmont with one turn it would be fine, but it is a two-turn mile at Santa Anita and you can get done by the draw so on that basis we will entertain running in the Classic.”

Jockey Jimmy Fortune added: “Earlier on in the year he was a bit hot and we needed to get him relaxed. I probably got it wrong in the Sussex, I should have kicked a little earlier but we always thought he would pull up when he got there.

“I was trying to sit and sit, but I sensed Johnny (Murtagh on Henrythenavigator) on my quarters and I knew it was time to kick then. He really stuck his neck out.”