Bombay mixes well in Britannia Andrew Balding's Born In Bombay edged ahead to clinch a typically wide-open renewal of the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. With 30 runners assembled for the fiercely competitive handicap over the straight mile, the huge field split into two groups, with 14-1 shot Born In Bombay always positioned close to the pace in towards the stands rail in the hands of David Probert. The three-year-old struck the front two furlongs out and found enough for pressure late in the day to hold the fast-finishing Bow Creek at bay by half a length. The stands side proved the place to be, with Hors De Combat and favourite Bilimbi also racing in that pack and they finished third and fourth respectively. It was a first winner at the Royal meeting for the jubilant Probert. He said: "It's unbelievable, what dreams are made of. From such a young age I dreamed of riding here, never mind winning. "I was at Andrew's when William (Buick) won the Wokingham on Dark Missile. Over the years I've been lucky enough to ride some really nice horses at Royal Ascot. "He has improved quickly, he was a bit keen the last day at Newmarket. We were drawn stands side so my main aim was to get him settled. "He jumped so well and was a bit keen but I was just trying to hold on in the hope he'd finish off." Balding said: "He'd always worked well prior to the last month. If you'd asked me two months ago if he'd be winning this off 87 I'd have said he'd have a hell of a chance but then he probably just started going through the motions at home. "We said you need a Group horse to win a handicap here and he just might be. "I'm so pleased for George (Strawbridge, owner), too, he's had horses with us a long time."
