Pallasator takes Henry II Stakes Pallasator emerged a worthy winner of a tactical renewal of the Group Three BetVictor Henry II Stakes at Sandown. The Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite was sent off the 4-7 favourite on his first run since finishing second in the Melbourne Cup last November and he was sharply away under Ryan Moore. However, Moore took an early pull, allowing Burmese to stride to the front and he continued to set a steady pace at the head of affairs until the race kicked up a gear on the turn for home. Max Dynamite soon had Burmese beaten as he pushed to the front, but Oisin Murphy had tracked Moore throughout the two-mile heat and switched Pallasator to the outside inside the final furlong. Despite shouldering a 4lb penalty for his Doncaster Cup win last season, Pallasator found plenty in the closing stages and eventually ran out a ready two-and-a-quarter-length winner for trainer Sir Mark Prescott. Suegioo finished with purpose from the back of the four-runner field to snatch second from Max Dynamite. Pallasator is not the most straightforward of rides and Prescott was full of praise for Murphy's efforts in what was the seven-year-old's Royal Ascot prep run. Prescott said: "The plan was to sit last as he's not a slow stayer and he quickened up well. It was one of those rare days when the plan worked. "He will run in the Ascot Gold Cup now as that is what he was bought for. "I thought Oisin rode him very well as he's not everybody's ride. I was happy with the way he cantered down - he made it look as easy as possible. "I think today was about firm enough for him. Ascot would be a worry (in terms of ground). "He has to have everything done for him, but if he goes and wins Group races, he can have everything he wants."
