Princess of Wales's Arqana Racing Club Stakes
Group 2, Newmarket 15:35 £100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
Thursday 13th July 2017

1 Hawkbill 7/2
2 Frontiersman 5/4F
3 Algometer 7/1
6 ran NR: Poet's Word Distances: ¾l, 3¾l, 2l
Time: 2m 31.00s (slow by 4.20s)

Hawkbill gets up to beat Frontiersman to the line

Hawkbill
© Racehorse Photos

Frontiersman was the 5-4 favourite having chased home Highland Reel in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on his previous start, with last year's Coral-Eclipse hero and Coronation Cup third Hawkbill sent off at 7-2 to bounce back from a disappointing run in France.

Hawkbill raced enthusiastically out in front throughout the mile-and-a-half journey under James Doyle, with Frontiersman ridden more patiently by William Buick.

Frontiersman was angled out to make his challenge racing inside the final two furlongs, but wandered under pressure and Hawkbill galloped on straight and true to claim victory.

The Charlie Appleby-trained pair were clear of Algometer in third place.

Doyle said: "It was a great training performance by Charlie. You have to serve it up to him a bit. 

"He takes life so well and gets so fresh. He ran well in the Coronation Cup and went out to France. He's turned up on his A game now and, on his best form, that race was well within his compass. 

"He enjoyed himself out in front. I went out with a game plan just to let him enjoy himself at a speed he was comfortable at and let him roll along and give him plenty of time to hit top stride. 

"He was very tough. I think he's best at a mile and a half with ease in the ground - the softer the better for him. We got away with the ground today. The drop of rain we had definitely helped him. 

"He's had plenty of races and takes them so well."

Princess Of Wales's Stakes (Group 2)
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good