Ascot punters cash in with Bankable
Bankable sailed across the line in the On The House Stakes at Goodwood to earn a quote of just 2-1 with Coral for the Royal Hunt Cup on the second day of Royal Ascot.
Thirty runners over the straight mile is not for the faint-hearted but Luca Cumani’s four-year-old is guaranteed to start at cramped odds after his polished display, with William Hill and totesport both offering 5-2.
After a stylish win at Ascot last month, Bankable was upped to Listed class and got the job done with the minimum of fuss in the hands of Dane O’Neill.
The 7-4 favourite motored into the lead with over a furlong left to run and readily went clear to pass the judge three and three-quarter lengths clear of Lady Gloria.
Cumani’s wife Sara said: “He had a bit on his plate and a lot to learn.
“He had only had four races in his life and he lacked experience racing in a field and round a bend.
“We were also worried about the soft ground, as this is softer than Ascot soft.
“He got warm too, but did it well and Luca was very much of the opinion he needed a race as he is such a big, gross horse.
“The Hunt Cup will be his next step and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Further Royal Ascot clues were on show in the goodwood.co.uk Handicap as Viking Spirit was trimmed to 20-1 with totesport for the Wokingham after his striking victory.
Sent off the 5-2 joint-favourite, Adam Kirby was always in the front rank aboard Walter Swinburn’s six-year-old and drew clear to collect by a tidy two lengths.
Swinburn said: “He is normally held up but Adam wanted to ride him positively and that has helped.
“He deserved a change of luck and he’ll head to the Wokingham now. He just missed the cut last year but the penalty will help and it’ll be a great day out for everyone.”
Richard Hannon sent out three in the Nick Brooks EBF Maiden Stakes, with Versaki (13-2) coming back on top and completing a double for O’Neill with his defeat of stablemate and 15-8 favourite Noble Jack.
Hannon said: “All three are nice colts. Noble Jack would have given the winner something to think about if he hadn’t been left at the start, and Party Cat (fourth) didn’t handle the ground.
“The winner is by Verglas whose progeny like cut so we might have a look for something in France for him.”
Pat Dobbs was stood down for the day after failing a racecourse breathalyser test and missed out on a winning ride as Marcus Tregoning’s Formax (15-2) successfully stepped up to a mile and a half under Richard Mullen in the Goodwood Hospitality Handicap.
Successful substitute Richard Mullen said: “He has to be dropped out and you have to be as brave as possible. Thankfully I had the horse under me to make it possible and he was a nice spare to get.”
Travis Block brought 5-2 joint-favourite Brazilian Brush home in the Racing UK Free To Air Today Stakes, with Moment’s Notice (7-1) scooting clear for a five-length call in the Michael (Gerry) Germon “Lifetime In Racing” Stakes.
