Elite Status proves well-named National Stakes winner

Horse Racing

Electric performance from Karl Burke-trained youngster.

Elite Status turned what looked a competitive renewal of the Racehorse Lotto National Stakes at Sandown into a procession.

Trained by Karl Burke, the son of Havana Grey – who himself won this race in 2017 – cost 325,000 guineas at Tattersalls Book 2 in October and already looks like living up to his purchase price.

A winner at Doncaster on soft ground on debut, he faced quicker conditions on this occasion but that proved no barrier to success.

Blue Storm grabbed the favoured rail early and made sure the field was quickly stretched, with Charlie Appleby’s On Point very slowly away and losing all chance.

Dapper Valley then had the misfortune of malfunctioning tack which cost him any chance and with Son Of Corballis another outpaced the contenders began to thin out.

With well over a furlong to run Clifford Lee moved Elite Status (5-2 favourite) up to join Blue Storm and the response was electric.

Burke’s colt lengthened smartly and just went further clear with every stride, eventually winning by five lengths with stablemate World Of Darcy running on into second and Hackman third.

Paddy Power make the winner their 2-1 favourite for the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.

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