Breeders' Bid On The Cards For Valorem

A crack at the Breeders' Cup is the long-term aim for Ad Valorem after he bounced back to winning form in a rough renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening afternoon at Royal Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old, without a success since his juvenile days, survived a stewards' inquiry before being confirmed the 13-2 winner of the Group One contest.

But his jockey Kieren Fallon was not so lucky and was hit with a four-day (July 1 to 4) careless riding ban for allowing his mount to drift left in the closing stages.

The manoeuvre caused problems for the runner-up Court Masterpiece and the fourth home Peeress.

The suspension currently rules the former champion out of the Irish Derby, although he can apply to get the suspension moved.

Stipendiary steward William Nunneley explained: 'He can request that the HRA (Horseracing Regulatory Authority) write to the Turf Club and allow him to ride because we would allow him to ride on a day when there is a Group One race in this country with a suspension of four days and below.'

Ad Valorem had got home by a length and a half from Court Masterpiece, with Proclamation a neck back in third and Peeress next.

Mick Kinane found himself in front aboard the latter with three furlongs to go. But she had raced too keenly for her own good and she was weakening when hampered in the closing stages.

It was left to Jamie Spencer on Court Masterpiece to mount the last challenge but Ed Dunlop's charge was short of room and could never peg back the Coolmore runner.

O'Brien was clearly relieved when he heard the announcement that the placings remained unaltered.

He said: 'I can relax now but I think there is no doubt the best horse won.

'Obviously we were worried but he was a very clear-cut winner, a winner on merit.

'Kieren was very happy coming in and he knew the best horse won on the day. Obviously they all got tight and when he drifted Kieren put his stick away which was the right thing to do.

'This horse always wanted fast ground and we kept him in training last year and we couldn't get him on the right ground,' he said.

'We had him right for the Sussex and it came up soft ground and he finished third in the Sussex beaten three lengths and we were over the moon with him.

'We'd love to go back to the Sussex on fast ground and he could make a Breeders' Cup horse for the Mile ? he gets a mile well on fast ground.'

Dunlop was not so happy, however, and said: 'Jamie is very angry ? he said he got murdered ? because otherwise he would have won.'

Chris Richardson, for Peeress' owners the Cheveley Park Stud, said: 'I think she has been very unlucky. The pace didn't suit her early on ? there wasn't enough pace.

'She got bumped at the start. Frankie (Dettori, on Proclamation) bumped her from behind, initially.

'The ground was probably just a bit firm and maybe she wasn't letting herself down. But she didn't deserve to be squeezed up like that. It was a messy race.'

Godolphin's Proclamation ran well on his first run since finishing unplaced in the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park last September.

Racing manager Simon Crisford said: 'We knew we were two weeks behind schedule so we are happy with Proclamation.

'To win these races you've got to be razor-sharp.

'He missed two gallops at a crucial time but I think he ran a solid race.

'The Breeders' Cup is the big target.'

(C) PA Sport