Tercentenary Stakes
Group 3, Ascot 15:05 £75,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f, Class 1
Thursday 19th June 2014

1 Cannock Chase 7/4F
2 Mutakayyef 7/1
3 Postponed 8/1
NR: Stormardal (IRE)
8 ran Distances: 1½l, nk, nk
TIME 2m 5.31s (slow by 0.31s)

Cannock Chase wins The Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot on Gold Cup day.

The winner was tipped up by Angus McNae & Tanya Stevenson in their blogs.

Cannock Chase
© Racehorse Photos

Cannock Chase was a ready winner of today's Tercentenary Stakes, becoming a 70th Royal Ascot victory for Sir Michael Stoute, the most successful living trainer at the meeting.

Ridden by Ryan Moore in the colours of Saeed Suhail, the colt won by one and a half lengths and a neck from Mutakayyef and Postponed.

Sir Michael said: "He's a very progressive horse that we have always liked. I was just a little concerned about the ground, because he's got a turn of foot and a bit of class. I think he'll get a mile and a half, although I haven't checked that with Ryan yet, and I had him in tomorrow's King Edward VII Stakes but this was the first choice.

"I just must ensure I don't run him on fast summer ground at this stage. I'm glad they put a bit of juice on the ground last night - they've done a good job. I do believe that in time he will become a Group One horse.

"Most of the horses are running well at the moment, although Dank [unplaced in yesterday's Prince of Wales's Stakes] was a puzzler. It happens."

Sir Michael trains The Queen's Estimate, who bids to win successive Gold Cups this afternoon. He said: "I think Leading Light could be a very special stayer, so I'll be happy if Estimate gets in the frame. I hope she runs well, but I think it will be tough for her - it's a stronger race this year."

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, is already looking forward to next season following Mutakayyef's run, finishing a length and a half second.

The 7/1 shot finished behind Barley Mow in a Listed race at Newmarket earlier on this season but turned the tables on his rivals here and Hills thinks the son of Sea The Stars will be a better horse again in 2015.

"It was a nice even pace and a fairly run race," said Hills.

"He's run well but he'll be even better next season. He's a big, long horse and I'm sure he'll really strengthen up again this coming winter. Paul got him into a nice rhythm and he's just struggled to quicken as well as the others.

"He's stayed on well though and is one to look forward to."

Third-placed Postponed was another who finished behind Barley Mow at Newmarket but he stayed on well to finish a neck behind Mutakayyef and trainer Luca Cumani was pleased with the way the 8/1 chance ran.

"He's run well," said Cumani.

"He liked the track and he liked the ground but I thought we were a little unlucky in the last furlong where a few horses got a bit close.

"It's difficult to know where he will go next but we'll speak to the owners and decide then."

Tercentenary Stakes (Group 3)
£75,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places (watered)