King Edward VII goes to Spencer on Balios Balios came home best to provide trainer David Simcock with a first Royal Ascot winner in the King Edward VII Stakes. The winner of a Kempton maiden last November before being narrowly denied on his seasonal debut at Newmarket, Balios was a 3/1 shot for this Group Two contest and was dropped out last by Jamie Spencer. Magic Dancer and Mr Singh disputed much of the running and the latter looked as though he may have stolen a march on the field when kicking on from the home turn, but Balios really got rolling once straightened up and passed the post a length and a quarter to the good. The major disappointment of the race was Stravagante, supplemented by Sir Michael Stoute following an impressive handicap victory on Epsom Derby day. He was held up by Frankie Dettori, but dropped out quickly before the straight and was pulled up lame. Spencer said: "They didn't go that hard and Frankie's horse wasn't moving that great in front of me. "The fellow is a tribute to David and Jenny (Simcock), a lot of people would have been tempted to go to Epsom with him, but they've taken their time and been rewarded. His work a week ago was absolutely outstanding. "He gets the trip well and is very lightly raced, there's plenty of improvement in him." Simcock said: "It's not a monkey off my back exactly, but it's a huge relief. "I've always liked this horse and made that very clear. "He was a little inexperienced going into Newmarket last time and Jamie got it so right today. "When a jockey likes a horse it makes a massive difference and Jamie loves this horse."
