Wichita makes light work of Newmarket assignment

Wichita runs out an impressive winner of the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket (Nigel French/PA)

Wichita emerged as a possible challenger to the brilliant Pinatubo in next month’s Dewhurst after a wide-margin victory in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket.

A winner on his racecourse debut at the Curragh last month, the son of No Nay Never was last seen pushing the high-class Molatham all the way in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster little under a fortnight ago.

Turning out swiftly for a Group Three contest better known the Somerville Tattersall Stakes, the Aidan O’Brien-trained juvenile was the 10-11 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore – and his supporters will have been content for the duration of the seven-furlong journey.

Monoski – fourth behind Pinatubo in the National Stakes at the Curragh earlier in the month – was sent straight to the lead, but he was soon challenged by both Wichita and Manigordo.

It was clear with a couple of furlongs still to run that Wichita was travelling much the best of the six runners and he powered clear once popped the question by Moore to score by seven lengths.

Paul Smith, representing his father – Wichita’s part-owner Derrick Smith – said: “It was a striking performance.

“I was at Doncaster when he ran a nice second there. He is a big, strong colt and has got a lovely way about him.

“Aidan has been very happy with him since that run at Doncaster and Ryan liked him a lot. He is chilled out and has a really good mind about him, which is nice going forward.

“He is exciting and the penny is dropping all the time ”

Considering future plans, Smith added: “You could look at the Vertem Futurity Trophy (at Doncaster) and step him up to a mile, or you could bring him back here for the Dewhurst and keep him at seven as he handles the dip.

“The choice is there and we will see what Aidan wants to do with him. If you watch the race at Doncaster he was very strong at the end which is always nice to see.”

Persuasion fared best of the chasing pack in second for Charlie Hills.

Persuasion was a winner at Goodwood during the summer
Persuasion was a winner at Goodwood during the summer (Julian Herbert/PA)

The Glorious Goodwood maiden winner had disappointed when favourite for the Acomb Stakes at York on his second start.

Hills said: “That was much better. He had one or two niggly problems at York, but he looked pretty good today.

“He has shown he can step up to Group class and is up to that level. I don’t know if he will run again this season – we might just put him away.”

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Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore Wichita

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