Racing: Richard Hannon further strengthened his formidable hand in the juvenile division as Chandlery claimed victory in the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The champion trainer saw his pride and joy Canford Cliffs firmly put in his place by Frankel in the Qipco Sussex Stakes, but Chandlery’s pillar-to-post victory did at least earn him some compensation.
Stablemates Best Terms, Harbour Watch and Lilbourne Lad are all two-year-olds to have plundered notable prizes this season and Chandlery added his name to the list with victory as the 5-2 favourite.
Richard Hughes was positive from the outset on the market leader and having travelled strongly, he picked up well at the finish to score by a length from stablemate Rockinante.
The third home, Red Duke, had beaten Chandlery a neck at Newmarket last time and may well have given his old rival something to think about again but for a troubled passage.
Hughes said: “When he jumped off he had a look, so I thought I’d make it and he won’t do too much in front. He settled lovely. We have lots of different types and this was the best horse for us on the day. He’s not all about speed. He’ll get a mile.”
Hannon added: “He’s a big, strong horse and a great galloper, so he’d be hard to get by at any stage. You just have to let him use himself. He’s entered in a sales race at York and I don’t see why we wouldn’t run him there as it’s big money.”
A deserved Goodwood Stakeswin for Hollins (20-1) provided Micky Hammond with his first taste of success at the course.
The multi-talented seven-year-old has taken his Yorkshire-based trainer to many of the Festival meetings under both codes and he cut a particularly determined figure under Paul Hanagan to thwart the challenge of Seaside Sizzler by three-quarters of a length.
“He’s been doing well hurdling and I just ran him back too quickly at Pontefract last time, so I gave him a break,” explained Hammond. “He has given the owners tremendous fun as he has run at Royal Ascot and two Cheltenham Festivals and he was due a decent race.
“He just outstayed them, and he was sixth last year off a 10lb higher mark. We were actually thinking about novice chasing now, although he’ll have an entry for the Cesarewitch.”
Whiplash Willie just held on to top honours in the UBS Stakes.
Sporting a visor, the 7-1 chance was held up last in the early stages but made stealthy headway in the straight under David Probert. He shot to the lead in the final furlong but had just a head to spare at the line with joint-favourite Arch Fire finishing with a rare rattle.
Winning trainer Andrew Balding said: “He probably could have done with a bit more cover but the jockey has judged it right.
“I think he’ll be a fun horse. He has an entry in the St Leger but it’s a long shot and he’s got a long way to go before he can justify that. He could be one for the Melrose Stakes.”
There was a sting in the tail for Probert, who was given a suspension totalling four days (August 10-14) for his use of the whip and careless riding.
Mahmood Al Zarooni's Rakasa (11-2) made a winning debut in the Markel International Maiden Fillies' Stakesunder Frankie Dettori.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: “She never looked like being beaten from a furlong out and hopefully she’ll go on to better things.
“Sheikh Mohammed himself saw the filly work last week and said we should go to Goodwood as she looked good enough to do herself justice. Obviously with the fillies it is always nice to try your luck in Pattern company sooner rather than later, but we’ll see how she comes out of the race.”
Webbow (9-1) benefited from a typically power-packed ride from the front from Kieren Fallon to take the Harwoods EBF "Hellvelyn" Classified Stakes.
The closing EBF Nayef Fillies' And Mares' Stakeswas won by the David Nicholls-trained Askaud (14-1).