Kate beats Lantern in the Falmouth Elusive Kate (3/1) made all to deny Sky Lantern a Group One hat-trick in the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes. John Gosden's filly was runner-up in the race last year but went one better under William Buick, who set a steady tempo throughout along the near rail. Richard Hughes tracked her throughout aboard the 4/7 favourite and, despite a shake of the reigns as early as three from home, looked poised to take over entering the distance. However, Elusive Kate responded gamely for pressure under an astute ride and, despite hanging across the track, had a neck in hand at the line. Stewards immediately called an enquiry to look at possible interference between the first two home but placings remained unaltered. Buick said: "She hung to her left and I ended up taking Richard with me, but she beat her (Sky Lantern) fair and square and she's a very good filly. "I wish she hadn't hung left, as she would have shown it was fair and square, but she's done it all her life. She costs herself a lot of ground by doing it, but she keeps winning and she's never run a bad race. "She's an absolute joy for a jockey to ride. "I'm very pleased for her and the team at home, who've done a very good job.'' Gosden told Racing UK: "She always drifts left, this filly. When she won the Prix Marcel Boussac she drifted - she always drifts left and that's probably why she likes Deauville. "They've drifted across the track together but there's been no contact. "She's a tough filly. She's a very talented filly and for a first foal she's very powerful - she's as wide as she is tall. We're thrilled with her attitude." When asked about future targets, Gosden added: "The Prix Rothschild is an obvious one to go for and after that there are races like the Matron. We might even want to go for a Breeders' Cup Mile later on."
