racing_news/

Frederick Engels Impresses in July Stakes
07/07/11

1 Frederick Engels 7/4
2 Roman Soldier 6/4F
3 Bannock 10/1
NR: Right To Dream (IRE)
7 ran Distances: 1l, nk, 4l
TIME 1m 13.76s (slow by 3.56s)

Frederick Engels was one of the best-backed horses of the week at Royal Ascot when he impressively landed the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes and today he made the successful transition to Pattern company when taking the Group Two TNT July Stakes in the hands of Eddie Ahern. This was also a first win over six furlongs for two-year-old son of Iceman, who was returned the 7/4 second favourite.

The Pearl Bloodstock-owned colt came to take up the running as the field entered the final furlong and ran on well to get the better of 6/4 favourite Roman Soldier by a length.

Successful trainer David Brown said: “I didn’t like to say so, but I expected him to win today.

“I was confident in a way - you don’t like to be but he worked this week with a good horse and we felt you would have to run to 125 to beat him today.

“We wanted Eddie to sit on him as long as he could. He will probably get further because he has so much class over five and six furlongs - trust me, he will go further.

“He still had a bit up his sleeve today and I think there is still a long way to go with this horse.

“We will probably go for the Gimcrack Stakes now but I need to talk to the owners before deciding. He could also go for the Phoenix Stakes in Ireland or the Prix Morny. Basically, he is entered in everything. I think the Gimcrack is probably the most likely option, but I will have a talk with the owners.

“I thought he was an outstanding foal when I saw him and he is also a May foal, so the best should be yet to come.

“We have arranged a poker party in the house tonight!”

Winning owner Sheikh Fahad added: “That was superb. Eddie did a great job with the ride and David Brown as well training him. He was waiting for the openings and was travelling very powerfully today, even more than at Ascot. We are glad to have a horse of this calibre.

“We will have to wait and think about where we go next and there are no immediate races for him now. The Gimcrack is in our mind but having to give the speech - is that a positive or a negative?”

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Frederick Engels D H Brown	E Ahern 8st 12lbs	7 - 4 Winner
2	Roman Soldier J Noseda	R L Moore 8st 12lbs	6 - 4 1 length
3	Bannock M Johnston	S De Sousa 8st 12lbs	10 - 1 Neck
4	North Star Boy R Hannon	J Fortune 8st 12lbs	11 - 1 4 lengths
5	Kenny Powers Tom Dascombe	R Kingscote 8st 12lbs	50 - 1 Neck
6	Sans Loi A J McCabe	R Winston 8st 12lbs	25 - 1 7 lengths
7	Church Music K A Ryan	R Mullen 8st 12lbs	7 - 1 7 lengths
NonRunner	Right To Dream B J Meehan	Non Runner 8st 12lbs	-

NO EXCUSES FROM BEATEN CONNECTIONS

Roman Soldier followed up his second-place finish at Royal Ascot by chasing home Frederick Engels in the TNT July Stakes.

Ryan Moore had the 6/4 favourite up with the pace throughout, but the Coventry Stakes runner-up found his market rival a length too strong.

Trainer Jeremy Noseda said: "He ran very well and I am delighted.

"It was a good, solid performance but he has just met one too good on the day."

Just a neck behind Roman Soldier was Mark Johnston's Bannock, who stepped up on his Norfolk Stakes sixth under Silvestre de Sousa.

The colt was having his sixth career start and racing over six furlongs for the first time, but had no trouble with the trip and took third place.

Johnston said: "He has ran a very good race and was coming back again at the end.

"Although he has plenty of experience Silvestre said he was still green and looking around, but he stuck on well.

"You can't take anything away from the winner - he was very impressive."