Slipofthepen emerges as potential Classic horse for the King

Kempton victory opens up exciting options for unbeaten colt.

The King may have a Classic contender on his hands in the John and Thady Gosden-trained Slipofthepen, who overcame trouble in running and a shade of immaturity to land a taking success at Kempton.

Bred by the late Queen, the Night Of Thunder colt followed up his cosy mile debut victory in November with another eyecatching display over course and distance in the Join Racing TV Now Conditions Stakes.

Trapped in last place turning for home, jockey James Doyle had to remain patient aboard the flashy chestnut with four white socks – who also runs in the name of the Queen Consort – before producing the 8-11 favourite approaching two furlongs from home.

And once he did, Slipofthepen cruised past his four rivals on the bridle, his long stride putting a length and a quarter between him and Ensued at the line.

Thady Gosden said: “It was a very pleasing run. He did it nicely and stretched out well on the bridle. It worked out well.

“Obviously there is a very strong headwind today, which makes it harder for them to quicken up and they are not finishing as they normally would.

“He got lit up, but then relaxed well. He did well and seemed well after the race. He has a lot of class about him.”

Coral cut Slipofthepen to 16-1 for the Derby and the 2000 Guineas – which takes place on the weekend of the King’s coronation – and asked if he was a potential Classic prospect, Gosden added: “We will see how he comes out of the race, but it is possible he will be going in that direction.

“He looks a miler and we think something like the St James’s Palace Stakes might be the race for him further down the line. As for a Classic trial, we will see.”

Gosden senior said: “This horse I think is a miler. He feels and trains like a miler. He has a high cruising speed and a good turn of foot. Whether he goes to a Guineas it is a little bit premature to be talking about that.

The late Queen with John Gosden and Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot
The late Queen with John Gosden and Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“For a Guineas you need a bundle of experience and he has gained some today. We will just see how he is the next 10 days and make some decisions.”

“That (St James’s Palace) is a race I very much have in mind for him. Either you decide you want to go for the Guineas, or the Heron Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

“Those are the two routes and I’ve had lot of good luck winning the St James’s Palace going from the Heron. Everything is open for discussion and the horse will tell us how he is over the next few days and we can make our mind up from there.”

Running Lion had earlier made it three wins from three on all-weather surfaces when comfortably taking the Racing TV Fillies’ Conditions Stakes, sparking a double for the co-trainers.

The daughter of four-time Grade One winner Roaring Lion, who was likewise trained by the Gosdens, had been beaten on her seven-furlong turf debut in July, yet had subsequently won twice with ease over a mile in novice events once switched to the all-weather, and duly made it a hat-trick on her three-year-old debut.

The 6-4 favourite, ridden by Oisin Murphy, tracked the early pace set by Rainbow Sky and Ellexis and once making her challenge at the cut-away, she was always holding the late challenge from Dancing Goddess to score by a length.

Running Lion was cut to 16-1 (from 20-1) for the 1000 Guineas by Paddy Power, who also clipped her to 33s (from 100-1) for the Oaks.

Thady Gosden said: “That was good for her first start of the season. Obviously she won a decent enough race before.

“It was a lovely run. She tries hard and is a tough filly.

“She has got the speed for the mile, but obviously Roaring Lion won over a mile and a quarter, so we’d like to think this filly will stay that sort of trip in the future.”

Action Point produced a similarly impressive winning debut for trainer Archie Watson in the five-furlong Racing TV/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

Hollie Doyle’s mount broke smartly and the 11-10 favourite showed a neat turn of foot to put the race to bed, holding off the persistent challenge of fellow newcomer Ponga and a late thrust from eyecatcher Anfaal, was also making her debut.

The length-and-a-quarter victory was a first for sire Blue Point, a four-time Group One-winning sprinter for Charlie Appleby.

Max Mayhem (15-2) overcame a wide draw to land a competitive renewal of the Racing TV-sponsored Rosebery Handicap under in-form 3lb claimer Benoit De La Sayette.

The Kevin Philippart De Foy-trained five-year-old, who was sold out of Joseph O’Brien’s yard for 42,000 guineas in October, was having his first start for connections.

He showed plenty of grit to down HMS President by half a length, with Jewel In My Crown coming from an almost impossible position to grab third in a bunch finish for the minor honours.

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