The Lir Jet flies late to deny Golden Pal in Norfolk thriller
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Winner proving a smart purchase for Qatar Racing.
The Lir Jet backed up his scintillating debut when collaring American raider Golden Pal in the final strides of the Norfolk Stakes. Michael Bell’s juvenile broke the all-age track record on his debut at Yarmouth and was subsequently bought by Qatar Racing. He appeared to face an uphill battle entering the final furlong, however, as Wesley Ward looked sure to add to his Royal Ascot tally, as Golden Pal had broken smartly under Andrea Atzeni and soon had most of the field in trouble.Murphy began to chase down the leader, but it was only in the last 100 yards that The Lir Jet (9-2) began to make ground hand over fist, eventually getting up by a neck. Bell said: “He’s one of the fastest two-year-olds I’ve had – he’s all speed. “During the race I was a bit worried when the leader went so far clear, but Oisin (Murphy) obviously thought he had it under control and the horse battled.
What a race!
The Lir Jet reels in Golden Pal in a thrilling finish to the Norfolk Stakes for jockey @oismurphy, trainer @MikeBellRacing and owners @Qatar_Racing#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/8FdFOlkQYk — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 19, 2020
Champion jockey @oismurphy gives a wave of his whip after steering the @MikeBellRacing trained The Lir Jet to glory for @Qatar_Racing in the Norfolk Stakes @Ascot pic.twitter.com/ey5Ao5dldO
— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) June 19, 2020
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