Punters see the Light
Prince Of Light maintained Mark Johnston's rich vein of form by winning the opening contest at sun-kissed Chester today.
The Fantastic Light colt, second behind Librettist in a Listed event at Windsor last time out, made virtually every inch of the running from stall one to hold off the late surge of Vanderlin in the valuable totescoop6 Chester Conditions Stakes.
Given a positive ride by jockey Jean Pierre Guillambert, the 11-8 favourite showed a really willing attitude when asked to score by a length and a quarter.
“He’s got a terrific attitude and wasn’t quite up to scratch at Windsor, where he lost a shoe with about two furlongs to go,” explained Prince Of Light’s joint-owner Claire Riordan.
“But that was really good and to do it so easily was very pleasing. He’s in the big handicaps and a few Group races but we’ll leave it to Mark - he can do no wrong at the minute.”
William Hill reacted to Prince Of Light’s convincing victory by cutting his price for the Totesport Mile at Goodwood from 20-1 to 16-1, with VC Bet going 14-1.
Guillambert was back in the winner's enclosure 35 minutes later when Instructor put up a gritty display to take the totecourse to course Handicap over an extended 10 furlongs.
Richard Fahey’s 6-1 chance broke away smartly from the gates and was allowed to bowl along in front by his rider.
Billy One Punch tracked his every move, however, and appeared the likely winner once Instructor was headed entering the last furlong.
But Guillambert had other ideas and battled back into the lead in the final 100 yards before registering a one-length success from George Margarson’s charge.
“I’ve never ridden him before but he’s a real battler,” smiled the jockey.
