York could be on agenda for Hopewell Rock after Goodwood triumph Having been thwarted by George Boughey’s Bow Echo earlier in the week, Ryan Moore teamed up with the trainer to win the Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap at Goodwood with Hopewell Rock. As Billy Loughnane, Boughey’s stable jockey, was in action at Newmarket, Moore took full advantage on the four-year-old, who was the beaten favourite in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot. Sent off 5-1 on this occasion, Moore bided his time until just over a furlong out when he hit the front and had enough in reserve to hold off Oisin Murphy on Joseph O’Brien’s Small Fry, who could be considered marginally unlucky three-quarters of a length away. O’Brien was also third with Aeronautic. “I thought he was one of our best chances of the week at Royal Ascot and, for some reason, he didn’t show up. He looked super out the back today and got a super ride,” said Boughey. Ebor Target Next for Royal Ascot Flop “I’ve always wanted to step him up, even to two miles, and today was the big thing for Wathnan (owners). It’s a massive meeting for them. We haven’t thought much past today but he can probably step up into Stakes company and hopefully turn into a Cup horse at some point. “He’s in the Ebor and I think, at the moment, York is a pretty natural stepping stone for him but we’ll take it a day at the time.” Promising Rafe Da Man Takes Maiden Victory Richard Hannon’s Rafe Da Man (12-1) put his experience to good use in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes. Having his fourth outing, the son of Ghaiyyath had been improving with racing and beat some well regarded types by upwards of a length and a half under Pat Dobbs. “I’ve always liked the horse but he’s a Ghaiyyath; he’s immensely talented but he was a little bit crazy, he wanted it all too quickly and today he relaxed, he showed signs that he was going to do that last time at Newbury but he’s a pretty good horse. “Today, I think, he’s proved that he’s grown up and he did that last time as well. It’s all about next year really, there’s a lot of daylight underneath him and he’s always had a lot of scope. “He’s grown up now so I wouldn’t be in a huge rush to rush him into the big stuff yet but the way he’s improving nothing is out of the question.” Ghost Mode Overcomes Quirks in Goodwood Handicap Andrew Balding’s Ghost Mode (9-2) showed wayward tendencies in winning the Phase Eight Handicap but his winning margin of a length and a quarter meant the stewards did not get involved. Balding said: “He’s a very talented horse and it’s taken time to get him to settle and relax. We dropped him right back to five furlongs at one stage — he was trying to do everything in a hurry — but I am so pleased for Rex Gorell and Michael Blencowe (owners). They have been so patient. We have spent a bit of time trying to work him out, and it was a good job from Rob Hornby. “He tends to get a little lonely and was lugging left-handed, but I thought we were clear enough not to worry.” Tom Marquand had to bide his time before the gap appeared in the closing Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap on Jack Channon’s Crest Of Fire (100-30 favourite).
