Decorated Knight takes Goodwood plaudits

Decorated Knight proved the horse with the best finishing speed in an Al Basti Equiworld Festival Stakes spoiled to some extent by a farcically slow early pace at Goodwood.

The eight-strong field crawled until the Listed contest developed into a sprint to the line in the final quarter-mile, where Andrea Atzeni seized the initiative on the Roger Charlton-trained winner.

The 4-1 co-favourite reeled in Educate to score going away from that rival by half a length. It was the same distance back to Black Cherry.

Tom Charlton, assistant to his father, said: "He jumped too quick and didn't get home on his first run for us at Ascot, but today in a muddling race he's travelled well and pricked his ears when he hit the front."

Decorated Knight has some high-profile entries including the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Charlton added: "He has the tactical speed for a mile, but while he's going the right way we will take it one step at a time and will consult the owners before deciding where he goes next."

Atzeni admitted the slow pace was just what he had hoped for aboard Decorated Knight.

The jockey commented: "They played into my hands because my fellow has plenty of speed and can quicken. The steady pace didn't suit the others. I think he will improve through the year."

And the Italian completed a double when Mount Logan out-battled Sweeping Up and Noble Gift in the Intrinsic New For 2016 at Hedgeholme Stud Tapster Stakes.

On his first start for Roger Varian, the New Approach entire entered the final furlong in line abreast with the eventual runner-up and third, but found plenty under pressure to score by a neck, stating his case for a Royal Ascot mission.

Persistent rain had started to have an effect and Atzeni said: "It's getting towards being good ground now. This horse was very brave. He travelled into the race as I hoped he would and hit top gear in the final 200 yards.

"He picked up all the way to the line, and is going the right way."

Varian was on hand to welcome the 2-1 winner. The Kremlin House handler observed: "He's quite versatile, but I don't think he would want the ground to be too soft. He battled well, is very genuine and stays the trip well.

"I think he will come on for the run, and we'll look to run him in the Hardwicke next."

Bateel went off a heavily-supported 5-4 favourite but could not pick up when the tempo increased at the business end.