Winker perfect after July heroics

Peter Chapple-Hyam has reported his July Stakes winner Winker Watson to have come out of the race in tip-top shape.

The juvenile maintained his unbeaten record with an extraordinary performance on the July course to follow up his victory in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

After missing the break completely and being drawn on the ’wrong’ side, he came from last to first to get up in the final strides for Jimmy Fortune.

He is now likely to bid to emulate his stable companion Dutch Art by landing the Prix Morny at Deauville on August 19.

“Everything is perfect with him this morning. There are no problems with him whatsoever,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“Winker Watson is definitely as good at this stage as Dutch Art was last year. Winker has got that turn of foot and plenty of guts. He also possesses marvellous cruising speed.

“Yesterday, the draw was totally against us but he still managed to win through him being a serious horse,” he told www.peterchapple-hyam.com.