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Freemantle looks ready for first major win
While all eyes will be on the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot today, the supporting acts do not look too bad either though potential punters will be having nightmares over the Brittannia and King George V Handicaps.
It is something of a surprise to see Freemantle dropping back to Listed company in the Hampton Court Stakes after his excellent run behind Black Bear Island in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York.
The Ballydoyle inmate made most of the running on the Knavesmire and was only caught in the shadow of the post by his stablemate, who did not distinguish himself in the Derby subsequently, mainly due to a slow gallop.
Freemantle, a son of Galileo, is very much on the upgrade and should see off some promising types and gain his first major victory.
Eric Libaud added further international spice to Royal Ascot 2009 as the Frenchman sent out the ultra-consistent Vision D'Etat to claim the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Australia and America both struck on the opening afternoon, and France quickly followed suit on day two with last year's Prix du Jockey Club winner fending off 6-4 favourite Tartan Bearer by half a length.
The four-year-old, ridden by Olivier Peslier, has had his nose in front in eight of his 10 career starts, with his only unplaced effort coming when fifth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last October.
And a return to Paris in the autumn is firmly on the agenda, with Coral and Ladbrokes trimming Libaud's representative into 12-1.
Libaud commented: "The Arc was always going to be his target and that is where he will go. He will have a break first and then go for a prep race in the Prix Foy.
"He is a better horse this year and has grown into himself. The crop this year doesn't look as good and he must go to the Arc with a very good chance."
Libaud's fellow Frenchman Jean-Claude Rouget was responsible for third home, Never On Sunday, who was only a head behind Tartan Bearer.
North Yorkshire-based Neil Callan finished second on 9-1 shot Misheer behind Jealous Again in the Queen Mary Stakes.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
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Sunny spells
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