Eye Of Heaven and Frankie Dettori cruise to the lead at Newmarket© Photo Healy Racing
Eye Of Heaven provided trainer Mark Johnston with his third juvenile winner of the week to set up a tilt at the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot with an impressive victory in the Betway EBF Stallions Novice Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
Travelling close to the pace throughout the five-furlong contest the even-money favourite only needed to be pushed out with hands and heels by Frankie Dettori to score to by three-quarters of a length, earning a quote of 8-1 for Royal Ascot with Paddy Power.
Johnston said: “We’ve had a great start. What it is so important is that what you think are the right ones at home work out to be on the track, otherwise it is back to the drawing board.
“He will go to the Norfolk. Not only have we a pecking order this year, but they have their Royal Ascot starts mapped out as well.
“He is a big horse and he stands out from the crowd at home. Frankie just sat and held him together in the dip and he hit the rising ground and won well. Ascot should suit him better.”
A potentially nasty incident at Newmarket was avoided on Thursday when a large pane of glass fell from the main grandstand on to seats below.
Racing was taking place for the first time on the Rowley Mile at Headquarters since the resumption of racing — and the absence of spectators might well have been a blessing on this occasion.
Amy Starkey, who runs Newmarket as East Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “A window fell out of the Champions Gallery on the third floor on to the level two seating for no explained reason. We are now investigating why and how it’s occurred.
“Clearly it is very concerning and thankfully we are staging racing behind closed doors so no members of the public or our team have access to the area.”
