Exclusive: Godolphin's Next Star? Time To Turn Shines in Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot

Godolphin enhanced their excellent record in the Pat Eddery Stakes as Time To Turn produced a gutsy performance to repel talented opponent A Bit Of Sprit. 

The formidable combination between the powerful owners, trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick have won five of the previous seven renewals, with talents such as Group 2 scorer Naval Power and most recently Al Qudra.

St James’s Palace Stakes winner Rosallion is perhaps the most high-profile horse to have won this race, indicating the calibre of horse required to land this Listed contest.

Appleby’s assistant trainer, Alex Merriam, spoke highly of this Dark Angel colt, saying: “We got chinned by Clive’s [Cox] at Newbury, so we just dropped her in and rode him to come home the right way. William said the race sort of unfolded away from him but he was happy with how he went, he said it was straight-forward."

“We’ve won this race a few times, this was the early season target for him so we’ll just have to see where he fits in, we have a few nice seven furlong types so we’ll see where Charlie thinks he lies," he told SportsBoom.com. 

“He showed a good turn of foot, but Will said stay at 7 for now, it was comfortable. We’re not immediately thinking of dropping him back to six.

“He’s really strengthened up for his first couple of runs; I’d say the first two horses are very nice.”

SMART FILLY EMERGES FOR WALKER

Ed Walker is enjoying a fantastic season and looks to have another nice horse on his hands, after Princess Petrol produced after a smart performance in an Ascot Novice Stakes.

A week since Kingsdown Stables were forced to retire Group 3 winner Scenic, this St Mark’s Basilica filly has the potential to fill the void after taking a big step forward from her debut effort.

“I’m really impressed, that was very smart.” Said Walker. 

“She had a lovely intro at Newbury, George Downing gave her a lovely educational ride and she learnt a lot, enjoyed the experience and reaped the rewards today."

“Everything went to plan apart from going in the stalls, but she does get a little bit worked up, she even does it home going into her stables. She loves showing people she’s in charge."

“She put a lot of distance between her and the rivals, quite quickly as well. She appears to stay well, and we’ll go seven furlongs next time."

BARGAIN BUY FOR BOYLE

A £10,000 purchase from George Boughey after a sole start, Many Men produced a career best performance to land a valuable handicap for Jim Boyle, on his first attempt over two miles.

He’s continued to rise through the distances and is firmly on an upward trajectory, with Boyle believing his laid-back nature is key to his success.

Boyle said: “They never went quick, but the one thing this horse has in his favour is a turn of foot over this trip. We couldn’t see where the pace would come from, but stepping up to two miles, we weren’t overly worried, there is a reasonable home straight to pick your way through the field."

"We’ve continued to step him up in trip and he keeps improving, he relaxes really well through his races, so he gives himself every chance to see out the extra distance.”

GROUP HORSE IN A HANDICAP?

The Queen’s Vase from the royal meeting took a big form boost as Pinhole bounced back from a sub-par run to stylishly win a Class 2 contest.

On only his fifth start, this three-year-old benefitted from a drop in trip and class, with Ralph Beckett’s assistant trainer Max Nicholson believing the addition of headgear was the catalyst to bounce back to form.

“The cheekpieces kept him sharp and the three-year-old allowance was also useful to have," Nicholson told SportsBoom.com. 

“He needs rallying along, but once the motion gets going and he finds his rhythm then he’s very happy and that’s how he needs to race."

“He’s a big horse and taken a lot of time to develop and Rossa said he’ll be a better four-year-old, so we just must give him time."

“He hit the line well, so we’d have to ask the question whether we try stepping up in trip again, but today was much more impressive than his run at Royal Ascot."

“I’m glad he’s in the winner’s enclosure again and showing the ability he shows at home.”