Favourite Duke best in Goodwood Group Three Duke Of Hazzard delighted favourite-backers with a hard-fought success in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood. Paul Cole’s colt won a valuable maiden at this meeting 12 months ago and returned to the Sussex Downs in fine form, following a clear-cut success at Newmarket three weeks ago. Given a confident ride by PJ McDonald, the son of Lope De Vega travelled strongly and managed to avoid most of the trouble several of his rivals encountered during a rough race. After being switched wide to throw down his challenge, the 3-1 chance took a while to find top gear, before charging home in the closing stages of the one-mile contest, prevailing by half a length from Turjomaan. The well-backed Art Du Val and Royal Ascot winner Biometric both finished down the field. Cole said: “It’s great to have another good horse again. It’s wonderful (for the owner) as there aren’t many Jim Hay’s around. “He was going to go for a Group Three race in Deauville so that is maybe on the cards, but these are things we need to think about and discuss. “He is a horse that can handle anything, as he is extremely tough and nothing fazes him. I think he is on the upgrade.” Beat Le Bon completed his hat-trick in the 150,000 pound Unibet Golden Mile. Having followed up victory in a valuable contest at this track in May with a win at Haydock a month ago, Richard Hannon’s three-year-old was a 17-2 chance for this fiercely competitive handicap. He got a dream run against the far rail, but it was still impossible not to be impressed by the way he powered clear in the hands of Pat Dobbs. Hannon was completing a double, having earlier seen last year’s 1000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook land the Theo Fennell Oak Tree Stakes. He said: “He’s always been a good horse. I’ve always talked about how good he is and he has slightly made me look a bit silly. Slowly, as time has gone on, he is starting to look like that horse. “I did think he was a Guineas horse last year. Early on in the year his work was not normal and we are starting to see it now. “There is every chance he could come back here for the Celebration Mile (August 24).”
