Review of the racing from Ascot: Reach High wins for Godolphin

News from Saturday's meeting at Ascot where wins for Reach High and Elite Army contributed to a fine day for Godolphin.

Reach High proved a well-backed winner of the totepooliveinfo.com Novice Stakes at Ascot, always travelling kindly for William Buick and sneaking home by the cosiest of nose verdicts.

The Godolphin-owned colt had caught a tartar on his debut at Doncaster and although having to be ridden right out at the business end, he was always just holding Harry Angel.

Bruce Raymond, representing the owner, said: "He was beaten by a very good one of ours (Hoyamy) at Doncaster that has unfortunately been ruled out for the season, so I knew he was pretty smart.

"He travelled well, and his experience told in the end. He wants six furlongs plus."

King Bolete overcame a protracted absence to stave off the challenges of Duretto and Plutocracy in the Leo Bancroft Signature Haircare Handicap.

Under a canny ride from Andrea Atzeni, the 5-1 chance showed the benefits afforded him by a gelding operation on his first run for Roger Varian.

With 2-1 favourite Sign Of A Victory disappointing, King Bolete seized the advantage and he could form part of his trainer's Royal Ascot team next month.

Will Johnson, assistant to Varian, said: "We inherited him from Mr Cumani and he was gelded over the winter.

"We thought he was fit enough to be competitive and the only doubt cast over him was the firming ground, which he handled perfectly well."

Elite Army added his name to a Hardwicke Stakes bulging with top recruits by confirming his liking for the course with a triumph in the Carey Group Buckhounds Stakes.

The Godolphin-owned gelding won the King George V Handicap two years ago but had been off the track for almost a year owing to training problems.

Saeed bin Suroor turned him out ready to do himself justice and Buick's mount didn't flinch in staving off the persistent challenge of Scotland by a head.

Elite Army was returned a 3-1 co-favourite of three and now all roads lead back here next month for the winner.

Godolphin's representative Chris Burns said: "He's had his training problems but Saeed's always liked him.

"He'll go for something like the Hardwicke and we're hoping for the best as he's a previous Royal Ascot winner and knows his way round here."

Bin Suroor, who was at Lingfield, added: "It was his first time out and he won well. He won at Royal Ascot two years ago and he has done it well again today.

"There was a question mark about the ground as he would have preferred it good or softer as he is better on easier ground.

"I talked to William just to check about running him and he said it was fine.

"The Hardwicke Stakes is the next race for him. It is so far so good with him. Hopefully he will come back healthy."

Connections of Buckhounds Stakes runner-up Scotland confirmed him on target for the Gold Cup.

Alex Cole, racing manager to owner Jim Hay said: "That was just about perfect. He'll go for the Gold Cup and may take in the Henry II Stakes before."

An on-course gamble on Havre De Paix never looked like bearing fruit as Light And Shade took the EBF Breeders Series Fillies' Handicap for James Tate and Martin Harley.

The 11-2 chance stayed on best of four fillies that held some sort of a chance in the final 300 yards, beating Tutu Nguru and Margaret's Mission.

Raymond, representing owner Saeed Manana, said: "She battles well, but he's ridden a peach of a race because she doesn't like the stick and if you touch her, her head will go up. Martin rode her with a lot of confidence.

"She'd won here before so we were hopeful, but there was a question mark over the ground."

Buick went on to complete a treble as Nigel Tinkler sent Normandy Barriere who was sent on the long trek from North Yorkshire by Nigel Tinkler and the 4-1 shot was delivered with a beautifully timed run to land the Rosling King Handicap.