Fortune Still Sweet On Raven's

Jimmy Fortune retains plenty of confidence in Raven's Pass, despite the John Gosden-trained colt losing his unbeaten record at Newmarket on Saturday.

The rider, who has enjoyed a tremendous season, believes unsuitably soft ground contributed in no small part to his eclipse in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes, although he stuck to his guns well to finish third behind New Approach and Fast Company.

'I was absolutely delighted with the horse, he travelled like the winner and looked like he had them all beat at the two pole,' he told Racing UK.

'But when things got serious he just didn't handle it (the ground). In my opinion he is still a high-class horse.

'It surprised me a bit how soft it was, probably because it was fresh ground and had not been used and was holding moisture.

'It rode a very good race. You have to have a lot of respect for New Approach. He's tough and was off the bridle a long way out but stuck to his guns.

'The second looks very nice. We tired and didn't handle the ground and Frankie's (Dettori on Rio De La Plata) didn't either.

'It might be a different story when they meet on better ground. He's a big horse with a lot of scope, although he feels like he is mature I'm sure there is room for improvement.'

Fortune has also had the privilege of partnering the unbeaten Winker Watson for Peter Chapple-Hyam.

He added: 'To rate one against the other is very hard. They are both top-class horses.'

The rider was top jockey at Royal Ascot for the first time this year and also booted home Lucarno to an impressive success in the Ladbrokes St Leger.

He went on: 'I've had a great year. Ascot was very special with five winners and to win my first Classic...it's been a wonderful year.

'Lucarno never ran a bad race all year and looked like he was actually improving towards the end of the season, hopefully there's better to come next year.'

(C) PA Sport