Arod's blistering Ascot win paves the way for Goodwood showdown

AROD could face crack performers Solow and Gleneagles after a sensational all-the-way win in the Group Two Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday.

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam admits he may be forced to take the plunge and consider the Group One Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for his talented four-year-old, as long as conditions are suitably fast.

Should all go well there, a trip to Australia later in the year for the Cox Plate could be on the cards.

It was an impressive outing from Arod, who looks to have found his niche over a mile, having won twice over a mile and a quarter last term when he was also a creditable fourth in the Investec Derby.

Jockey Andrea Atzeni ensured it was a true test as he bounced the 6-4 favourite out of the stalls and left the opposition trailing in his wake with a furlong out.

Lightning Spear (100/30), wearing the same colours of Qatar Racing as the winner, finished with a flourish after having difficulty getting a run.

However, by that stage Arod was in no danger and finished a length and a half in front at the line.

Sky Bet immediately cut the runner-up to 6/1 from 8/1 for the Betfred Mile Handicap at Goodwood, while Arod is now 12/1 from 16/1 for the Breeders’ Cup Mile with the same firm.

Chapple-Hyam said: “He’s improved again and Andrea said it was slightly easier than last time (Diomed Stakes at Epsom).

“He has to have the ground fast. If it was good to soft I wouldn’t have run him.

“We’ll see how he is and how he comes out of it, but we’ll have to look at the Sussex. I can’t duck away forever.

“Hopefully it will be fast ground and the track will suit him, so that’s where we probably will go.

“Australia is possible at the end of the year. Sheikh Fahad (owner) has mentioned the Cox Plate.” Also on Saturday, Frederik Tylicki rode Double Up (7/1) to victory in the opener for trainer Roger Varian.

He finished half a length ahead of Taajub (16/1) in the 5f Totescoop 6 Heritage Handicap.

Michell Bell tasted success in the 7f Ruddy Maiden Auction Stakes when Tom Queally rode Ray’s The Bar to victory at odds of 20/1.

Scottish Glen delivered success for trainer Patrick Chamings in the 7f Owen Brown Handicap, while 3/1 shot Roxy Star won the 1m fillies’ handicap for William Haggas to give Queally another victory in the saddle.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Dartmouth (5/1) landed the Johnny Brett Handicap over 1m 4f while Marcus Tregoning won the last race over 1m 2f with 8/1 chance River Dart ridden by Royston Ffrench.

There was also a full card at Ascot on Friday, where highlights included victory for the Richard Hannon-trained Madrinho (12/1) in the 6f Maiden Stakes opener, with Cam Hardie in the saddle.

Stoute also tasted success with the Ted Duncan-ridden Asyad (14/1) in the 1m 4f John Travers Memorial Trophy, beating 2/1fav Dreamlike by a quarter of a length.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes THE unbeaten Golden Horn heads 16 horses going forward for Ascot’s midsummer highlight, the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO).

Britain’s premier all-aged 12-furlong contest, worth a boosted £1.15 million this year, takes place on Saturday, July 25 at the changed time of 3.50pm.

There is certain to be a strong challenge from Golden Horn, who extended his own perfect record to five races on July 4 when annexing the 10-furlong Group One Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park in great style.

If successful at Ascot, Golden Horn would become the 14th colt to complete the Derby-King George double in the same season and the first since Galileo in 2001.

The three horses to have completed the Derby/Eclipse/King George treble in the same year are Nashwan (1989), Mill Reef (1971) and Tulyar (1952).

Other entries for the 2015 King George VI include Cape Cross, Eagle Top, Mahsoob and Taghroda.

The race was originally scheduled for 3.45pm on Saturday, July 25, but has been put back five minutes to boost overseas betting turnover.

Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot, explained: “We received a request from the French PMU to move the off time so that they could show the race live in France.

“With Channel 4 coming off air at 4.10pm, this poses no problems so we are happy to move the race time in order that the French public can support their possible runners, Flintshire and Dolniya. This should increase betting turnover and thus benefit British racing.” He added: “It is shaping up as a great renewal, with five countries still represented.

“The Derby winner Golden Horn appears on track and it’ll be a real test for him against the cream of Europe’s older horses, which is what the race is all about.” Red Bull Air Race FOLLOWING last year’s success, Ascot Racecourse will once again host the fastest motorsport series in the world, the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Featuring the world’s best pilots, this sport harnesses speed, precision and skill as agile planes are manoeuvred down a low-aerial track made up of 25 metre high air-filled pylons.

The event takes place on Saturday, August 15. For tickets go to www.ascot.co.uk AROD could face crack performers Solow and Gleneagles after a sensational all-the-way win in the Group Two Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday.