AT THE fourth time of asking, Raven's Pass finally toppled arch rival Henrythenavigator in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by Sony at Ascot yesterday. Aidan O'Brien's dual 2000 Guineas winner had beaten John Gosden's charge three times and was sent off the 11-8 favourite to secure his fifth Group One triumph.
But Raven's Pass got much closer in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, after which Henrythenavigator suffered his first defeat of the season in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp, while Gosden's charge picked up the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last month.
The signs were there that Raven's Pass could get revenge and he did so thanks largely to more positive riding tactics by Jimmy Fortune.
Henrythenavigator's stablemate Honoured Guest made the mile event a frantic one from the off by powering to the front under Colm O'Donoghue. French raider Tamayuz, perceived as the biggest threat to Henrythenavigator beforehand, was in the right position and threw down his challenge at the two- furlong marker.
But he quickly wilted, eventually finishing fourth, and it was Raven's Pass (3-1) who kept finding more under intense pressure from Henrythenavigator. Jimmy Fortune and his willing partner would not let Johnny Murtagh's mount win the day and eventually scored by a length. French mare Sabana Perdida took third, another four and a half lengths adrift at the line.
VC Bet went 3-1 from 6s about Raven's Pass for the Breeders' Cup Mile, with Henrythenavigator unchanged at 4-1 for the same race. Gosden said: "It all went wrong in the Guineas from the draw but he ran a blinder in the St James's Palace. We knew this time we would be a little handier, that was the only plan – be handier. The plan is now to go to the Breeders' Cup, whether that is for the Mile or the Classic we will have to see – he sees his races out much better now. He has been on the go since February, but he looks great in his coat."
Fortune said: "Earlier on in the year he was a bit hot and we needed to get him relaxed. I probably got it wrong in the Sussex. I should have kicked a little earlier but we always thought he would pull up when he got there. "I was trying to sit and sit today, but I sensed Johnny on my quarters and I knew it was time to kick then. He really stuck his neck out."
O'Brien was happy enough with Henrythenavigator's second-place finish after the colt previously disappointed in France. The Ballydoyle handler said: "He ran a stormer but the ground was quite loose and he's better on a fast surface. I'm not putting that up as an excuse and hopefully we'll have a look at Santa Anita (Breeders' Cup] – although I'm not sure which race yet."
Gosden and Fortune notched a double with Rainbow View in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile. The exciting daughter of Dynaformer preserved her unbeaten record by forging clear of the field, thus cementing her position as 1,000 Guineas favourite.
Andrew Balding clocked up his 60th winner of the year as William Buick gave 10-1 chance Amanjena maximum assistance from the saddle to collect in the EBF Ratcliffes Syndication Classified Stakes, while Eva's Request (12-1) bounced right back to her best to grab a valuable prize in the shape of the Fasig-Tipton Rosemary Stakes.
Penny's Gift left two Group-placed finishes and a desperately unlucky run in the Super Sprint behind as she blossomed in the £250,000 Watership Down Stud Sales Race.
Sir Michael Stoute and stable jockey Ryan Moore teamed up to good effect in the Princess Royal EBF Pricewaterhousecoopers Stakes with Crystal Capella, the 9-4 favourite who was completing a four-timer.
Tom Queally ensured the cards fell right for the Jeremy Noseda-trained Laddies Poker Two in the six-furlong Jean Bryant Memorial Handicap. The 9-2 joint-favourite travelled strongly and stretched clear well over a furlong out to collect by a length and three-quarters to maintain her progressive profile.
