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24 Jun 2023 - NEWS
O'BRIEN AND MOORE TAKE TOP TRAINER AND JOCKEY TITLES
Blue Point lands back-to-back King's Stand Stakes
Posted in: Royal Ascot News
Blue Point saw off old foe Battaash to successfully defend his crown in the King's Stand Stakes.
Charlie Appleby's Blue Point mowed down the free-going Battaash to emerge victorious last season, but 12 months on the boot was on the other foot - with Battaash restrained by Jim Crowley in the hope of coming with a late run.
Fresh from winning three times in Dubai earlier in the year, 5-2 chance Blue Point was the first of the big two to commit for home under James Doyle and while 2-1 favourite Battaash came at him late, Appleby's charge was a length and a quarter to the good at the line.
It was almost the same one-two-three as last year, but Mabs Cross was this time narrowly denied third by Soldier's Call.
Last years 1-2 lead home the field yet again as BLUE POINT lands back-to-back renewals of the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at #RoyalAscot for Charlie Appleby, @the_doyler and @godolphin!
📽️ @AtTheRacespic.twitter.com/C3Qli2vodi
— Royal Ascot Tips & Free Bets @Timeform.com (@TimeformLive) June 18, 2019
Doyle - standing in for the sidelined William Buick - said: "It gives me immense satisfaction that I didn't mess it up! I've ridden him twice before and it didn't really work out.
"I've done plenty of homework and a few weeks ago Charlie said, 'let's just pop you on him, as he is tricky'. That's why Charlie is the great trainer that he is - he thinks about all these little things."
A clearly emotional Appleby said: "He's one of the old warriors in the yard now and everyone at home has done a fantastic job with this horse.
"I knew when he came under the pump he's always going to find for you. Battaash travelled supremely well and at one point I thought we were really going to have to dig deep, but once they got into a duel I knew our fella wasn't going to lie down.
"He's been very close to us all and he'll always pull on your heartstrings when you're watching him."
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