Hanagan claims Prize

Thimaar proves too strong for Gulf Of Naples and now goes to Ascot for the Sagaro Stakes

Paul Hanagan gave Thimaar a tremendous ride to win the Betfred The Bonus King Queen's Prize at Kempton.

Wearing the blue and white silks of his new employer Hamdan Al Maktoum, the champion jockey made every post a winning one but was stalked throughout by Silvestre de Sousa and Gulf Of Naples.

The pair had the race between them from the home turn and for a stride or two it seemed as though the 10-3 favourite may find a way past the leader.

But Thimaar (4-1) wasn't to be denied and he found plenty for pressure to win going away by a length.

Halla San (33-1) was best of the rest in third but a further seven lengths adrift.

Gelding Key

"He was the heaviest horse in the yard by a long way last year, so we gelded him because if you weigh less, there's less to carry. It was nothing to do with his attitude," said winning trainer John Gosden.

"He has won at Ascot before and will now go for the Sagaro Stakes on May 2."

Jockey Impressed

Hanagan, who has made a good start to life as Hamdan Al Maktoum's number one rider, said: "He's an absolute pleasure to ride, he could get into a lovely rhythm round there and has a lovely temperament.

"He's got such a long action and he likes to use it. I didn't really want to commit that far out but the Mark Johnston horse took me on and it probably did him a bit of good, he pricked his ears and went again."