Richard beats Toscanini in the Chesham Richard Pankhurst showed a tremendous burst of late pace to win the Chesham Stakes, the first race on the final day of Royal Ascot. Trained by John Gosden and ridden by William Buick, the 10-1 chance was hardly sighted early on as Caprior Bere, Crown The Kitten and Via Via collectively set a fierce tempo at the head of this field of juveniles. Caprior Bere's effort was more sustained than the other two pacesetters, but he was outflanked inside the final furlong by Dick Whittington, the 15-8 favourite, and Toscanini, with Richard Pankhurst delivering the ultimate blistering challenge to score by three and three-quarter lengths. Toscanini finished second, with Dick Whittington third, while the big eyecatcher of the race was Nafaqa, who blew the start but made huge late gains to take fourth spot. Buick said: "He gave me a very nice feel. I spoke to Robert Havlin before I came here and he said he was green first time, so he always knew he was going to come on a lot. "At halfway he came good and it was just a matter of trying to get out in time. He's won going away at the finish and was by far the best horse in the race." Richard Pankhurst, who is owned by Gosden's wife, Rachel Hood, was given a quote as low as 12-1 to win next season's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. It was a first Royal Ascot winner for Hood, who said: "I have obviously got to thank my husband, William Buick and all our staff and the horse. Overwhelmingly, I'm speechless. He's exceeded my expectations, but the trainer usually doesn't fill me in on what might possibly happen!" Toscanini's trainer Mick Halford was delighted with the effort of the Godolphin-owned runner-up. He said: "It was a very good run, no excuses, he just found one too good. "We've had this race in mind for a while, we hadn't thought any further, but I'm sure there are nice races in him. We'll get him back and talk to John Ferguson (Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor) and the team before making a plan."
