Britannia Stakes

MICKLEY (Ed Bethell/Callum Rodriguez) gave both trainer and jockey their first ever Royal Ascot wins when taking the one-mile Britannia Handicap at odds of 15/2.

Bethell had gone close in the King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday with Regional, also ridden by Rodriquez, and this win will have been some consolation for a narrow Group 1 defeat.

The field split into three groups, and while the far side had the advantage for much of the race, it was the centre who held sway at the finish with Mickley (stall 15) was chased home by Skukuza (Ed Dunlop/William Buick) from the adjoining stall right in the middle of the field.

Native Warrior (Karl Burke/James Doyle) fared best of the group which raced on the stands’ rail in third, with the margins three-quarters of a length and two and a half lengths.

Always prominent

The winner was always prominent, taking control over a furlong out and comfortably holding the strong finish of the runner-up despite drifting right in the closing stages.

Bethell said: “It’s a great feeling, and I’m delighted for everyone at home. Callum has got down to a very low weight which he never normally does – that’s taken a big effort from him. We had confidence in the horse and wanted to keep him together; I was quite surprised how well he did today, and I’m really happy.

“He does absolutely nothing at home and never tells you where the limit is, but he’s got size and scope. It is like winning the lottery, this race, and you can never be confident at all. It’s a great day for the whole yard. I know I took over from my father, but we’re a young team, really, and hopefully just getting started. It’s a big team effort.”

Hampton Court Stakes

IT’S been a quiet spring for Brian Meehan, with just a couple of winners all year coming into this big meeting, but the Manton handler always gets a few ready for Ascot and after saddling 80/1 Coventry winner Rashabar on Tuesday, he doubled his tally for both meeting and season.

Jayarebe (Sean Levey) gamely held off favourite King’s Gambit (Harry Charlton/William Buick) and longtime leader Bellum Justum (Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy) to win by three-quarters of a length and one and three-quarter lengths at an SP of 7/1.

Winner of the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on his return, he was beaten favourite in a messy running of the Dee Stakes at Chester but was given a fine attacking ride by Sean Levey here from his wide berth, racing close up behind the leader before challenging at the top of the home straight.

Jayarebe hit the front just inside the two-furlong pole and battled gamely to see off the rallying Bellum Justum before King’s Gambit produced a strong run from the rear to threaten, but the winner was game and kept on strongly to secure the prize.

Key breather

Meehan said: “Sean got him in a great position. He was able to get a breather in, and that was key. That never happened at Chester, which was his undoing, along with the track. Once he got the position, Sean was able to just take back, get a little breather.

“That man is riding out of his skin at the moment, it’s so impressive the way he’s riding. He knows the horse really well, as he comes in every week.

“Jayarebe is getting better – he is still lightly raced. The red hood was a good addition today. It’s more about exuberance – when he was saddled, he was calm, his body temperature was good, so we’re going in the right direction.

“I said to his owner that we wanted to explore the autumn campaign, with some international races, so we’ll stick with the plan, although the Eclipse is a possibility.”

Buckingham Palace Handicap

GIVEN an entry in the July Cup by trainer Ed Walker, English Oak (James Doyle) showed such planning wasn’t fanciful with a hugely impressive performance in the seven-furlong Buckingham Palace Handicap, thereby giving his new connections an immediate return on their investment.

The son of Wootton Bassett was an impressive winner at Haydock before being sold by owner David Ward to Wathnan Racing (the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation). Backed into 10/3 favouritism, he strolled to victory, beating Billyjoh (Mick Appleby/Hollie Doyle) and Carrytheone (Michael Bell/Pat Dobbs) by three lengths and a length in a field of 26.

The high draws had it in this straight-track handicap to show that any bias is more about race shape than the draw, and nine of the first 10 home here were drawn 19 or higher. The winner is a progressive four-year-old colt who may be waving goodbye to handicaps given this second rout in succession.