King Of Rooks reigns in National Stakes and is Royal Ascot bound
Thursday 28 May 2015 18:56, UK
King Of Rooks produced what looked a very smart performance in the Cantor Fitzgerald Debt Capital Markets National Stakes at Sandown.
Quickly across to the rail from his draw in stall three, Richard Hughes was able to control what looked a hot renewal of the five-furlong contest.
Closely attended through the early stages by Silver Wings, the main danger looked to come when 7-4 favourite Steady Pace attempted to take closer order from the two-furlong pole.
However, the Richard Hannon-trained 11-4 winner quickened again over a furlong out and stretched well clear from there, eventually beating Buratino by five lengths with Steady Pace another length back in third.
It was a sixth win from the last nine runnings of the race for the Hannon yard, including Tiggy Wiggy in the same colours 12 months ago.
Hannon said: "I think he got the run of the race, there's no doubt about that - he had a good draw and knew his job.
"He travelled lovely and did it well, he's by Acclamation and that's what they do.
"He needed his first run, he got there and he blew up. I was a bit disappointed and I did question if the horse was as good as we thought he was, but obviously he appears to be.
"He looks a very talented, speedy two-year-old and looks more of a Norfolk type (for Royal Ascot), although we've got three weeks to go."
