Battleground proves too classy in Chesham

Regally-bred O’Brien colt rewards favourite-backers.

Battleground stuck to his guns to take Listed honours in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained War Front colt out of the brilliant racemare Found showed he had benefited from the experience of his debut at Naas last week with a professional display.

Ryan Moore had him just off the pace set by the Mark Johnson pair of Golden Flame and March Law before he set sail for home.

March Law made a fight of it, but Battleground (11-4 favourite) was just too strong, scoring by two and a half lengths. Seattle Rock was a length and three-quarter lengths away in third, despite drifting over to the far side of the course.

O’Brien said: “He’s a lovely horse, the first out of Found and he’s very exciting really.

“There was no hard luck story on his debut, but he’d have learned a lot from it. You’d imagine he’ll stay a bit further.

“We were a bit worried about the ground as he’s by War Front, but Found herself didn’t mind soft and won a Breeders’ Cup on it so that gave us hope.

“He’s an exciting horse, he could be anything. He could be a horse for the July meeting, he could be for the National Stakes.

“I’d imagine a mile will be his trip. He’s by War Front so that’s a big influence of speed, you’d be hoping he’d progress into being a very good miler.”

He added: “Found was a magic mare, one of the special ones so when her foals come along you hope they do well and he’s the first one – he’s an unbelievable specimen.”

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Aidan O'Brien Ryan Moore Royal Ascot Festival Battleground Chesham Stakes

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