Ribchester romps to Jersey Stakes success Ribchester ran out an easy winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot to give Godolphin their first winner of the meeting. Richard Fahey's colt was carrying a penalty for his win in the Mill Reef last year, but had the best form heading into the race, having finished third in the Qipco 2000 Guineas. With that form franked by winner Galileo Gold on Tuesday, he took full of advantage of a drop in class. Having tracked the pacesetter Gifted Master, William Buick never had an anxious moment, powering away to score by two and a quarter lengths from Thikriyaat. Forge kept on gallantly for third, but the favourite Castle Harbour, previously unbeaten, could never get on terms. Buick said of the 7-1 winner: "He ran very well in the Guineas and he might have done a little bit better had things worked out differently. "He doesn't mind that ground and it was a real good performance. Richard said beforehand, 'Just get the job done'." Ribchester could now renew rivalry with Galileo Gold in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27. Fahey said: "He came back a bit light after the Guineas and I wanted to give him a break. "He could go either way (back to six furlongs or up to a mile) - he wasn't stopping there and he's got the speed for six. "The Sussex is in the back of my mind. "We were very pleased with him. I think John (Ferguson, Godolphin racing manager and chief executive) was a little bit like me and that he wanted to get the horse's head in front and this was the easier option (than the St James's Palace Stakes). "Mentally, he's still a huge baby and is going to be a better four-year-old." Ferguson added: "He's a fantastic horse and he ran really well in the Guineas. "William said he had really improved since the Guineas. All credit goes to Richard and his team - they've done a wonderful job with the horse."
