Yorkshire trio head to Royal Ascot with hope of success

Mark Johnston nominated the Coventry Stakes as a likely target after jockey Silvestre de Sousa showed why he is a potential challenger to champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

Beaten on his debut at Beverley by rival Caspar Netscher, the 3-1 chance left his adversary right behind him in a frenetic renewal of the Listed Investec Woodcote Stakes.

The Brazillian-born jockey, who lives in Thirsk, was not given an easy time with On The Dark Side roughing him up a little on Epsom’s notorious cambers, but Fulbright took full control when back on an even keel.

“It was only his first run at Beverley and he made a lot of improvement from there to his next run, when he won at Musselburgh,” said Middleham-based Johnston.

“I’d like to think he could go to the Coventry Stakes now, and we’ve got Bannock who is more likely to go for the Windsor Castle.”

Johnston and De Sousa later doubled up as Fox Hunt (15-2) landed the Investec Surefooted Handicap.

The trainer added: “The first-time blinkers have helped – he has a little bit of a mind of his own but he looked perfectly straightforward there which he hasn’t always done.

“It’s fantastic, it’s lovely to have a double on Derby Day.”

Earlier, Captain Dunne (13-2) just lasted home to win the Investec Entrepreneurial Class “Dash” Handicap.

Narrowly beaten in this race two years ago and having missed the break 12 months ago, he pinged the stalls this time.

Making virtually all the running over the flying five furlongs, Tim Easterby’s sprinter defied top weight in a blanket finish.

The six-year-old, owned by Middleham Park Racing, was all out in the hands of David Allan as he hung on by a neck from his stable companion Confessional, with La Fortunatua a short head away third.

Just behind in fourth was Sohraab, part-owned by Michael and Carole Middleton, whose daughter Kate married Prince William in April. They watched the race from the Royal Box.

“He’s an extremely quick horse and this course just plays to his strengths. He’s got so much speed you can’t really fight him,” said Allan.

“I was gutted when he just got beaten at Longchamp the other week and it’s about time he won a big one.”

Meanwhile the in-form Easterby stable has indicated that Queens Revenge will step up to six furlongs for her next race after being an unlucky loser at Beverley.

The filly was carried left shortly after the start in the valuable Hilary Needler Trophy over five furlongs, but was only beaten two lengths when finishing fourth to Dozy.

Connections have since rejected a good offer for the daughter of Multiplex, who had made a winning debut at Ripon.

They are now looking forward to running her at either Royal Ascot or Newmarket this month.

“She’s come out of the race very well indeed,” said owner Henry Ponsonby.

“She was unlucky at Beverley and we turned down a big offer for her the next day.

“Not only was she knocked sideways by Frankie Dettori’s mount (Vocational) when she came out of the stalls, the effect also pushed the saddle back.

“She was only beaten by two lengths. I think she was the moral winner. We were very pleased for her to run as well as she did coming up the middle on the worse ground there.

“She’ll either go for the Albany at Royal Ascot or she might wait for the Empress Stakes at Newmarket the following week. She’s bred to get six and further.”