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Instalment Meets Royal Approval

Fri 16 May, 04:09 PM


There could be a runner for the Queen at Royal Ascot as Instalment showed plenty of potential in division one of the Sanderson Weatherall Maiden Stakes at Newbury.

Making his debut, like nearly all his opponents in a traditionally interesting event, it took a while for the Cape Cross colt to take an interest.

But as soon as Great Art tried to assert himself, the 11-4 favourite started to chase him, eventually catching Peter Chapple-Hyam's juvenile by a head on the line.

Trainer Richard Hannon said: "When it (the penny) dropped, it dropped.

"He has a good stretch on him and we'd have to talk to HM, but he could be one for her at Ascot - could be the Coventry Stakes."

Top-class sorts Flashy Wings and Queen's Logic have been among Mick Channon's four winners of the Berry Bros & Rudd Fillies' Conditions Stakes in the last decade.

It is too early to say whether Moss Likely (4-1) will fit in that category, but the three leading players in this race drew well clear here.

Edward Creighton got just enough juice out of Moss Likely to get a neck in front of April Pride, with 8-13 favourite Glamorous Spirit not disgraced third.

Channon usually looks at the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot after this, for which Coral go 12-1.

"It's possible," reflected the West Ilsley handler.

"We've always thought she was nice but was beaten first time out - really because a lot of ours have been backward.

"They're going good now."

Fat Boy opened his account for Peter Chapple-Hyam in the Ultimate Travel Stakes, a Listed event won by Sakhee's Secret a year ago.

Moved from Hannon's care this season, he was only touched off over seven furlongs in the Free Handicap at Newbury but appears more equipped for sprinting.

Dropping down to six, 8-11 favourite Fat Boy was always to the fore under Hughes and ably saw off the challenge of Tajdeef to score by a length and three-quarters.

Connections indicated a Group Three at Newcastle would be next on the agenda, with trainer's representative Ronan Meehan adding: "Richard said he was hating the ground. Six furlongs might be the right trip for him but he needs it quicker - it was a bit loose out there."

Clowance was slashed in the betting for the Juddmonte Oaks after running out a clear-cut winner of the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial for Roger Charlton and Steve Drowne.

The daughter of Montjeu is bred to come into her own over middle distances and trips in excess of this 10 furlongs are likely to be well within her compass.

Taking her record this season to two wins from as many starts, the 11-8 favourite had a length and three-quarters in hand over Kotsi, earning a quote of 12-1 from 16s from VC Bet for the Epsom Classic on June 6.

Charlton said: "The owner is very keen to go to the Oaks.

"She just gallops and stays and when she hit the front, she didn't do a lot.

"She'll need to improve on that but she should do so."

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