Raven’s Pass Set For America

It is a long way from Ascot to Santa Anita but John Gosden and Jimmy Fortune will doubtless be looking forward to the journey next month.

The duo have at least one true Breeders’ Cup contender in Raven’s Pass, while Rainbow View will also be popular if she makes the trip to California following their victories in Berkshire.

Gosden, who plied his trade stateside for a number of years, had warned that Raven’s Pass was being trained with America in mind and might not be quite at the top of his game for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

That view proved totally incorrect as the colt, running in the colours of Princess Haya for the first time, comprehensively reversed the form with old adversary Henrythenavigator.

The latter had proved too good on each of the three previous occasions the pair had met in the 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace and Sussex Stakes but he met his match this time.

Gosden said: “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 is now to go to the Breeders’ Cup, whether that is for the Mile or the Classic we will have to see – he sees his races out much better now.

“He has been on the go since February, but he looks great in his coat.”

Rainbow View also dug deep to maintain her unbeaten record in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile and give Gosden and Fortune a notable double.

The Dynaformer filly had won her previous three starts on the bridle but Fantasia served it up to her at the furlong marker and Rainbow View responded in style for a two-and-a-half-length win.

Gosden added: “She’s not very big but she’s all heart – you find a lot of the very good ones are not big.”

Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes collected the biggest of all sales races as Soul City refused to give away the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Million at the Curragh on Sunday.

The combination’s Penny’s Gift took the valuable event at Ascot on Friday with a late charge but it was forcing tactics from the front here aboard the French Group Three winner and 5-2 favourite.

He drifted from the rail as Akrisrun challenged up his inside but kept finding more to hold off Jim Bolger’s pair Gan Amhras and Intense Focus.

Hannon said: “There’s no reason why he would not go on and be a nice three-year-old.

“He’s one we could pack up this year and maybe have a go at the Guineas.”

Hannon then proceeded to dominate the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Fillies Million – although Hughes was on the wrong one with Baileys Cacao finishing second to stablemate Minor Vamp.

Favourite Luminous Eyes threw down a determined challenge on the far side but she had no answer to the devastating turn of foot demonstrated by Minor Vamp (10-1) and Michael Kinane in the centre.

A thoroughly respectable third to Rainbow View at Newmarket 50 days ago, she settled the event very quickly, despite a late effort from 9-1 chance Baileys Cacao.

Sea The Stars (7-4) came out on top in a closely-fought renewal of the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes.

Trainer John Oxx, who won this race in 2002 and 2003 with the brilliant pair Alamshar and Azamour, also saddled another leading contender in Mourayan.

But Kinane picked the right one and exuded confidence aboard Sea The Stars.

The half-brother to Galileo took a little while to assert himself once hitting the front, but was in command in the final furlong and had half a length in reserve of Mourayan for a stable one-two.

Bookmakers had mixed reactions on the winner for next year’s Derby. He is 12-1 from 20s with Paddy Power, now 14-1 with William Hill – but 20s with VC Bet.

Nearly-horse King’s Apostle picked the perfect moment to start winning again in the Group Two John Guest Diadem Stakes at Ascot, while Sixties Icon overcame a sluggish start to take the Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes.