Nola Soul stars in Chesham Stakes for Fozzy Stack

Nola Soul provided trainer Fozzy Stack with his first Royal Ascot success as he registered a determined victory in the Chesham Stakes.

The Justify colt was prominent in the market at 11-2 having made a winning start to his career at Leopardstown last month, the form of which received a major boost on Wednesday when runner-up King Of Cloughan won the Windsor Castle Stakes.

His chance was also done no harm when the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite Aix La Chapelle got upset in the starting stalls and had to be withdrawn, leading to a hefty Rule 4 deduction.

Nola Soul was keen throughout in the hands of Seamie Heffernan, so it is testament to his ability he was still in there pitching at the business end of proceedings and he kept finding inside the last of seven furlongs to prevail by half a length.

Joseph O’Brien’s newcomer On Just Terms filled the runner-up spot, with the front-running Aperoll third and Aix La Chapelle’s well-backed stablemate South Dakota fourth.

Stack Savours Landmark Royal Ascot Moment

Stack, who saddled Thesecretadversary to finish second in the Chesham 12 months ago, said: Stack said: “He’s a horse we’ve always liked and a big, powerful galloper who can go fast for a long time and also stay really well.

“We have a high opinion of him and Seamie has always loved him. We were hoping of a good run and you just hope they show up on the day and then finish somewhere near the first four. You just hope they show up and it was always the plan to come here.

“He stays really well and he’s a big fellow – he’s a January foal and I would say he would have no problem getting a mile and a quarter in time.”

He added: “It’s great to have a winner here as this is the place everyone wants to be.

“We’ll enjoy today, but we’ll have to be thinking about Group races now and hopefully he can be turning up in those good races at the end of the year.”

Heffernan added: “He always showed plenty and is by the right stallion. He’s a big stride and a big heart and the key thing is there is more to come as he’s still raw and immature.

“When they give you the class feel from day one like him and keep backing it up every week you sit on them, it’s a great feeling.

“He’s above where he should be, but sometimes plans come together and I owe the owner (Craig Bernick) a big thank you for putting me up on him.

“I’d love to be busier this week, but it’s lovely to have another winner. I’m running out of time so they all (winners at Ascot) mean a lot.”

Browne McMonagle and Hannon Upbeat on Their Runners

Of the runner-up, jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle said: “That was a great run, he wasn’t the quickest away but I just had to get him relaxed and find his feet the first half.

“They went a nice even gallop, which gave me a chance to get into it. He came home well and hit the line good, he’s definitely one to look forward to.”

Richard Hannon trains Aperoll and said: “I’m delighted, that was a lovely run. She hit the gate very well, almost too well which is a bit unlike her.

“You come to this place to see if you have a good horse and the answer to that is yes.

“A bit of cover would have been nice, but she’s a very good filly and that’s the good news, in fact it’s good news to finish third.

“She’s a filly for next year, she’ll be competitive at the top level at some point.”