Noseda looks to the future

Newmarket trainer Jeremy Noseda is mapping out an international campaign for 2006 Ladbrokes St Leger winner Sixties Icon following his victory in the Letheby & Christopher Festival Stakes at Goodwood.

Royal Ascot followed by a crack at the Arlington Million beckons for the five-year-old after he scored for the first time since May last year.

Dropped back to a mile and a quarter, the 8-13 favourite settled well for Ryan Moore and forged clear inside the final two furlongs to register a five-length victory.

Noseda said: “He had problems with his palate last year. His first run back was a step in the right direction and this was a nice confidence booster.

“The trip wasn’t a concern as he has a lot of speed. I said to Ryan not to worry about gears as he has loads of them.

“He’ll head to the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot now and I might consider races like the Arlington Million in mid-summer.”

Elhamri was another to come in from the cold as the former Royal Ascot winner edged a neck success in the five-furlong Thomas Eggar Handicap.

Sylvester Kirk’s 5-1 chance has enjoyed little luck since taking the Windsor Castle and Weatherbys Super Sprint two years ago, but was all heart as he fought off the challenge of 15-8 favourite Safari Mischief.

Kirk said: “It is good to see the little horse get his head back in front as it has been a long while since he did.

“He was a precocious two-year-old, but didn’t really grow and got left behind last year. He still hasn’t grown, but he has strengthened up.”

Richard Hannon’s team continue in red-hot form and the Marlborough trainer sent out his 14th winner of the last fortnight as Indian Art landed the EBF Goodwood.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

The son of Choisir showed the benefit of his previous outing to knuckle down at the business end of the six-furlong dash and score as the 4-1 joint-favourite under Richard Hughes.

Hannon’s son and assistant Richard junior said: “He’s had a run, which was an advantage, and now he has raced downhill we’ll take him to the Woodcote at Epsom on Derby weekend.

“After that he would probably have a break to the July meeting or even York.”

William Knight has a tidy strikerate at his local track and hit the target with 16-1 chance Casilda, who took the Electrolux Kitchens Maiden Fillies’ Stakes by half a length.

Knight said: “I knew she would only improve from her debut at Windsor and I liked the way she quickened up. She is a nice filly for the future.

“I was surprised at her price. I hope a few people backed her – I certainly did!”

Amanda Perrett saddled her first winner for 28 days as Celtic Dragon (10-1) took the M-Real Stakes, while Councellor held on well to score at odds of 9-2 in the O’Sullevans Cafe Stakes.