Ruling Court creates big impression with smart debut win

Expensive Godolphin purchase promoted to favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Ruling Court shot straight to the top of the ante-post market for next year’s 2000 Guineas with a devastating display on debut at Sandown.

Trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, connections went to EURO 2.3million at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale earlier in the year to secure the exciting son of Justify.

Sent off the 4-9 favourite for the Martin Densham & Peter Deal Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes the same team landed with Arabian Crown 12 months ago – and has also been won by the likes of Nostrum and Classic ace Kameko in recent years – he obliged with the minimum of fuss in the hands of William Buick.

Sent to the front with the one-furlong marker approaching, he scorched five and a half lengths clear of his nearest pursuer in the closing stages to earn quotes of 12-1 for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby from Paddy Power and Betfair.

Ruling Court stormed to victory in the hands of William Buick
Ruling Court stormed to victory in the hands of William Buick (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Buick told Racing TV: “He will have learned plenty today. He didn’t jump all that well, which you can forgive any horse running first time, but it was a nice, smooth performance and hopefully he can progress from here.

“I kind of passed a load of horses in a short space of time and probably got there sooner than I expected. It is always hard to read horses when they run for the first time, but he’s shown a good level at home and has brought it to the track.

“He’s got plenty of pace, so seven furlongs for now is optimal and he will get a mile when needed.”

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